Composite Rapier (Viennese Royal Armoury A572, Wallace Collection A624)

This sidesword is a composite of a reproduction blade of object A572 in the Viennese Royal Armoury (Hofjagd- und Rüstkammer) and a modified version of the hilt of object A624 from the Wallace Collection, London.

This beautiful specimen has a solid rectangular ricasso, a hexagonal blade with two fullers, decorated with perforations. The fuller inscription and bladesmith’s mark identifies its maker as Juan Martin[ez] of Toledo…^​1​

The original sword is located in the depot of the Viennese Royal Armoury (Hofjagd- und Rüstkammer)

The reproduction of the blade is as close to the original as possible, yet blunt for sparring use. The fuller inscription modified: ·V·E·L··I·S·· ·N·O· / ·L·I·S··V·E··+·+· / ···D···O···M··· / ···D···O···M···.

Spherical pommel, with burron; oval, wire-bound grip; single curving quillon, alos bent forward; pas d’âne, knuckle-guard, joined to the pas d’âne by a prominent diagonal loop. From one end of the pas d’âne projects a short bar, ending like the quillon in monster’s head; the entire hilt is of blackened steel chiselled in relief with foliage… ^​2​

The original is on display in the Wallace Collection, London (Object A624).

The reproduction of the hilt is stilistically close to the original, yet modified heavily. A rear guard has been added and the hilt is mirrored to suit a left-handed fencer.

• Overall length: 1195mm
• Blade length: 1060mm
• Blade width at base: 26mm
• Crossguard length: 145mm
• Point of balance: 138mm
• Weight: 1290g

All images © Stefan Feichtinger, if not otherwise noted.