Swept hilt rapier

[fernando]

You guys are obviuosly right. I was only focused, as requested, in the name of the bars (filets) that are usually placed in those recesses.



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[urbanspaceman]

Originally Posted by fernando

You guys are obviuosly right. I was only focused, as requested, in the name of the bars (filets) that are ususly laced in those recesses.

Thank-you Fernando; barretas was the word I was looking for.
I have seen bars secured under Turk's Head Knots, but in the case of my sword, I agree, it was simply grooved to improve grip.
I do like the look of the grips with barretas though.
Perhaps they were an optional extra, abandoned when they kept falling out during vigorous manipulation but leaving the useful grooves in place.
I believe my sword is from the first quarter of the 16thC, so a work in progress possibly.