Large, Chiseled Honor Rapier, Ambidextrous (for Left-handers?)

This is a beautiful, large rapier in which all the parts of the mount—that is, the“multi branch” guard, the pommel, and even the grip—are very richly chiseled. This decoration and the weight of the weapon—which is a bit too heavy to allow for fluid handling in combat—lead me to classify this weapon as a ceremonial rapier, that is, a weapon given as a reward. To be on the safe side, although its style is that of the second half of the 16th century, I will date it from the 19th century and I guarantee this date as a minimum, but it is very possible that it could be older.
Note that the mount is ambidextrous, which suggests that this weapon was designed for a left-hander. Indeed, the rar erapier designed for left-handers were, in most cases, equipped with a strictly symmetrical guard like this one so as not to attract attention.
BLADE: After a 6-cm ricasso, it takes on a rhombic cross-section with a central fuller on each side. In these fullers, one can read:
Outer side: ----+-+- E N -+- T O I + M E -+- F I E+-+------- ( =In you I trust) 
Inner side:--+---+-- E S P O I R -+- E N -+- D I E U +-+----  ( =Hope in God)
The sides where these inscriptions appear are engravedwith floral garlands entirely in the style of the late 16thcentury. On each side, at the ricasso, there is a punch mark inthe shape of a fleur-de-lis.
This blade is either French-made ormanufactured in Solingen and engraved and decorated in France.The inscription“Hope in God” is clear, but the combination with “In you I trust” can have two meanings: Either “I have hope in God andI trust in Him” or, more likely, “I have hopethat God will guide my hand, but it is in You, my blade, that I place my trust.”
Length of the blade from the quillons = 109 cm, from the outer edge of the guard = 102 cm, width at the shoulder 2.7 cm, thickness at the shoulder 7 mm. Despite the weapon’s weight of 1.9 kg, the balance is excellent, as the balance point is 2.5 cm from the ouside edge of the guard.
GUARD: It belongs to the family of so-called “skeleton” guards, due to its numerous rings. In fact, on each side there are 4 flattened rings.  The ring closest to thepommel extends to form a secondary guard branch that joins the main knuckle bow near the pommel. This ring is decoratedwith a griffin spewing flames
The wide, reverse-curved quillons are terminated by chiseled bearded faces. The guard is completed by two finger rings known as “donkey’s steps” or“arms” that connect tfrom the quillons to o the guard rings.
POMMEL: It is ovoid in shape and decorated oneach side with a finely chiseled bearded face surrounded by plants. This pommel is topped by a small, flattened knob to which the blade tang is riveted.
GRIP : It is made of steel and features rich chiseled decoration, different on each side. The outer side shows a bearded face viewed from the front ,surrounded by foliage. The inner side shows a face with a long beard depicted in profile, surrounded by foliage.

This beautiful rapier is highly unusual. The photos speak for themselves, so there is no need to describe every decorative element in detail. This rapier is undoubtedly a weapon of prestige. The identity of the nobleman for whom it was made remains unknown.
Ref FY-2640 Shipping fee contribution via UPS:  France €50, Europe €70