Quality Taza Rapier, Toledo 17th Century

This is a beautiful Spanish Taza rapier dating from the 2nd third of the 17th century. The quality is evident. The blade corresponds absolutely to this period, when clothing fashions having changed, the immense rapiers with enormous hilts that were worn during the second half of the 16th century were considered clearly inconvenient for wearing in street clothes. The swormakers therefore manufactured blades with a length between 85 and 95 cm, and less bulky guards.
The blade bears the words "en Toledo" which therefore tells us its prestigious origin. The fact that the name of the manufacturer does not appear, and the absence of the city control mark correspond to a desire to avoid tax charges from the government.
 BLADE: This is a robust 6-sided blade. A gutter is engraved at the level of the first third of this blade. we find the inscription " -- EN - TOLEDO -- " and the mark -{-:-+- the E and the D present the very particular graphics used by Toledo engravers.
The blade is in good condition with the 6 sides well marked up to the tip
Length of the blade = 92.5cm, Width at the ricasso = 2 cm, thickness at the ricasso = 0.8 cm, balance point 6 cm from the bowl.
TAZA: it is a very beautiful work of carving: numerous plant motifs which intersect artistically. The tip breaker is in one single piece with the cup. It is not only twisted, but chiseled too.
Unfortunately, there is a lack on the inside of the Taza, which is probably the result of a fight. The asking price takes into account this lack, which is absolutely not visible on the exterior side.
COUNTER GUARDor "guarda polvos" this piece which is inside the cup is only seen on high quality rapiers. it is chiseled as finely as the exterior of the bowl.
QUILLONS they are straight, twisted and chiseled.
GUARD KNUCKLE BOW BRANCH: twisted and chiseled in its middle part, it ends against the pommel
POMMEL: In a twisted, flattened bulb, the riveting of the tang is old, it is most certainly the original assembly
GRIP : it is also made of chiseled iron, which is particularly rare.

This rapier is of a high level of quality. Only the lack at the level of the cup, on the internal side, makes me moderate its price. This is an opportunity to acquire a quality piece at a price significantly lower than it would be if the guard were in perfect condition.
Ref AMB-2318