Bonhams 1793 : A North European Transitional Rapier

With slender tapering double-edged blade of stiff diamond section etched with an indistinct inscription dated 1669 and changing to hexagonal at the forte, the latter with etched inscription on each face ' ... memento Anno Domine 1669' and a bladesmith's mark, a fleur-de-lys, at its base on one side, iron hilt comprising symmetrical double-shell guard (one shell cracked) pierced with numerous close-set circles all, on the outer face, within a pearled border, fluted quillon-block, slender arms, faceted diagonally recurved quillons each with bud-shaped tips, fluted ovoidal pommel, and associated wooden grip bound with twisted steel wire between reeded silver collars
91.6 cm. blade

Estimate:

£800 - 1,200
US$ 1,200 - 1,800
€950 - 1,400