17th Century Germanic Taza Rapier, Blade Engraved With A Motto

This rapier called "taza rapier" (rapier with bowl guard) dates from the first half of the 17th century. It comes from the region of South Germany with an Italian influence. If the very deep bowl corresponds to the Italian tradition, the blade is German, without possible discussion and the shape of the pommel, the knuckle bow and their decorations are also Germanic. Its very large bowl corresponds to use by a gloved hand. The whole weapon has a homogeneous patina, which clearly indicates a weapon never dismantled, never restored.
BLADE : the ricasso is inside the bowl, it is covered with a sewn leather sleeve, intended to protect the fingers when holding it. As soon as it comes out of the bowl, the blade presents, after a short narrowing, a hexagonal section whose edges have been erased by time. On each face, there are two thin grooves which continue almost to the tip.
In these grooves, we can read the inscription "AN . GOTTES . SEGEN . ALLES . IST . GELEGEN . " which can be translated as "Everything depends on God's blessing" (literally "With God's blessing, everything is in its place")
Blade length = 94.7 cm from the bowl, 101 cm from the cross, width near the bowl 2.2 cm becoming after the narrowing 1.7 cm, thickness near the bowl 5.6 mm
This blade has an excellent balance since the point of balance is located just at the level of the internal edge of the bowl. The surface shows oxidation visible on the photos.
GUARD :
The CUP : large dimensions, 16 cm in diameter, 8 cm deep, it is made of sheet steel, decorated with plant motifs which are chiseled and not acid-etched. This decoration is worn, especially on the external face but remains clearly visible. The edge of the cup is folded into a roll to form the point breaker. On the internal face (when rapier is worn on a belt) , a small slit of 2 cm perpendicular to the point breaker.
Around the blade outlet, on the outer face, there is a large circular reinforcement with a serrated edge, which is riveted to a similarly shaped piece inside the bowl. This internal part corresponds to what Spanish swordsmiths called "guarda polvo".
The CROSS : It has two large, straight quillons with 6 faces, soberly decorated with chiseled plant motifs, each of which ends in a rolled-up part called "opposite", that is to say that they are opposite in the plane of the blade.
The KNUCKLE BOW : is first diamond-shaped, then hexagonal and ends in a faceted button which comes into contact with the pommel without being fixed to it.
POMMEL: it takes the form of a complex bulb, with 8 faces, with baluster edges. The whole is decorated with the same chiseled motifs as the rest of the sword.
GRIP : it is made of wood, in the shape of a coil, covered with the original thickiron wire binding. When handling, we notice a hollow formed over time by the pressure of the 3rd finger at the level of this handle. This is a rarely encountered mark of use.
In conclusion, this rapier is almost the archetype of "taza" rapiers  : it gives off an impression of austere efficiency and its original patina gives it the interest of objects "which have lived". Indisputable authenticity.
Shipping costs = France €30, Western Europe €40
Ref AM-2304