Pietro Hernandez swordmaker

[Jim McDougall]

Good confusion Nando! and I think we need our deerstalker hats and pipes!
I had not dragged out my copy of Gyngell as it was more buried than the rest. I think what we need to remember on these references on markings is that they are primarily compendiums of marks gathered off various examples of arms collected and in museums. There is of course no structural data in most cases as far as biographical or other data, though Wagner, Mann and some others will offer some detail in texts.

I think the most important thing we have revealed here is that there were some clearly preferred or more commonly used choices with the German makers, and apparently some more comprehensive uses of punzones by the Spanish makers then thought. Most collectors like to see things neatly classified and categorized, however using the reality factor, there are probably more exceptions than rules.

The 3 might have had several explanations which will remain elusive as far as actual intent. It could of course be religious, as in Trinity....or magical as well known in the occult climate well established in Spain. To me what has been most interesting is the commonality of the joined S and T as used by both Spanish and German makers.

I am wondering if perhaps Pedro/Pietro might have been an amalgamated persona with Solingen origins in the manner of ANDREA FERARA and TOMAS DE AIALA as well as SAHAGUM in a brand sense. Possibly this is why this person does not appear in the Spanish chroniclers records.

[ulfberth]

hello all,

here are some pictures of another Pietro Hernandez Rapier, it was on sale once at Herman, as follows the discription. note this item is a twin rapier and of Italian origine, so as Fernando said tha Pietro is italian for Pedro, i wonder if that has anything to do with the name ...

kind regards
Ulfberth

Twins rapier Italian to 1600 single rapier of a pair of twins. Blade and container on the outside fully designed the inside plan, to be merged with its counterpart. The double edged sword with Ricasso, contrast in the top quarter, then with flattened Central Ridge. Signature embossed in the Groove "PIETRO HERNANDEZ". Much Spang-rapier tank for the left hand with s-shaped geschwungener, faceted pommel (older repair). On the approach of the donkey hoof broken two holes with thread, ironing on a hole. Faceted ball knob on the inside track for the Schwalbenschwanzverbindung. Gehilze with the remains of the winding handle. Length 134 cm.
Developed in the middle of the 16.Jhdts in Italy, twin rapiers were gathered together in a sheath and visually looked like a rapier. They could be separated in a duel to the surprise of the opponent to two functioning arms.
There are only 12 pairs of twins rapier and three individual pieces. Known specimens are in collections in Dresden, Vienna (New Castle), London (Wallace Collection), Turin and Rome (Collezione Odescalchi). The here offered rapier is characterized in the following ways from the pieces of his compare: it has by far the longest of all and is together with a rapier in the Dresden collection, and the Leningrad the only with a gouging in the blade. His weight is extremely easy with 848 g. Is a collection of world-famous pieces with reference data

[ulfberth]

In the book "blankwaffen II" by Heribert Seitz edition 1968 page 137 image 150 I found a Pietro Hernanes it reads :
cup hilt rapier of the Spanisch type,
the blade signed Pietro Hernanes ( as substitute ) for Pedro Hernandez