Spanish Rapier Circa 1600, Blade Signed Iohan Berns Solingen

This is a Spanish military rapier dating from 1590-1630.The high-quality blade was forged in Solingen by the famous swordsmith IOHAN BERNS, active between 1580 and 1630. The very wide straigh quillons are typical of early 17th-century Spanish fashion. The short, stocky spindle, with its wire binding of copper and steel according to some authors, corresponds to an Andalusian style, from the Malaga region
BLADE: after a 2 cm ricasso that extends inside the cup, it takes on a hexagonal cross-section, with a central fuller on the first 23 cm.In this fuller , we find
on the outside: - - - IOHAN- BERNS - SOLINGEN - - -
on the inside: -- IOHAN- BERNS - IHN -- -    IHN probably stands for " In HonorisNomine" (In the Name of Honor), but for some authors, could also mean "Infidelis Hominis Necator" (slayer of infidel men)
Blade length, from guard cross to tip 97 cm, from outer edge of cup to tip = 92.5 cm Width at ricasso = 2.1 cm, thickness at ricasso = 8 mm
This long ricasso blade was clearly forged to fit a branch rapier as well as a taza rapier.
GUARD : This is a guard with a cup which  outer edge is folded to form a bead called " rompe".puntas " ( = point breaker ) The rare feature is the reinforcement of the junction between the quillons and the cup by riveted iron plates. This type of reinforcement is believed to be related with military use
The guard is completed by two wide, straight quillons, and a knuckle bow with ends with the same decoration near the pommel.
POMMEL: It is ovoid, made of iron and topped by a small knob on which the blade tang is riveted.
GRIP  : spool-shaped, covered with a complex binding alternating a double twisted steel binding and a plain copper wire. The ferrules are indecorated with small, straight, engraved fillets.

This weapon illustrates he use of German-made blades by Spanish swordsmiths in the early 17th century. The sober mount corresponds to military use, or to be worn by a gentleman with  an auster morals.
Contribution to shipping costs: France 30€, Europe 40€
Ref : F-2638/F