Rapier With Multi Branches Hilt, Germany First Half Of The 17th Century

This rapier with amulti branches hilt is from Germanic origin, dating from the first quarter of the 17th century. The blade bears a crescent moon hallmark on the ricasso, which Lenkiewicz lists (in "1000 Marks of European Blade Makers") as that the mark of the German swordmaker Jean Matheu Hoffman noted from a sword dated 1624. This swordsmith was probably a relative of the armorer Peter Hohman (Hohmann, Hoheman) of Solingen, also known as active around 1624. (Spellings of names are not always certain at this time…), although a Jean Matheu (but not Hoffman) is also recorded in the first half of the 17th century in Suhl.
This rapier is relatively short, thus corresponding to a type of rapier worn indoors, or carried when traveling "in town". The blade is, however, its original length; it has not been shortened.
BLADE: After a strong, thick ricasso with a hollow on each face, the blade has a double-edged, lozenge-shaped cross-section. On the outer face, at the ricasso, is a crescent moon-shaped hallmark.
Blade length, including the ricasso: 85.2 cm; width at the ricasso: 2.3 cm; width after the ricasso: 2,8 cm; thickness at the ricasso: 6 mm. Balance point: 4.5 cm from the ricasso and 9.5 cm from the crossguard.
GUARD: It has two straight quillons with an oval cross-section. The guard is complex, featuring two rings on the outer face, the upper one connected to the knuckle bow by a secondary branch. The knuckle bow terminates near the pommel in a small tassel. The inner face of the guard shows three small branches that change into one, which then joins the knuckle bow.
POMMEL : It is truncated conical in shape with rounded facets separated by ridges. It is surmounted by a small spherical button to which the tang of the blade is riveted.
GRIP : It is twisted and features complex wire binding, with a double chevron wire binding and a thicker twisted one in the hollows. The braided crown ferrules, known as "Turk's heads," are present. It is possible that the turk's head near the pommel has been repaired in the past or has shifted slightly, as it is not perfectly symmetrical.
This rapier is interesting, quite representative of its period and its Germanic origin.
Shipping costs: France €30, Europe €40.
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