Silver Inlaid Transitional Rapier/Smallsword, ca. 1700

Description

Iron hilt with obverse kidney-shaped side ring featuring double central knob, filled with a decorated plate. Knuckle bow with double central knob connected to the ovoid pommel and button. Hilt with silver inlaid decoration in Baroque style. Grip wrapped with alternating twisted brass wire and thin single-strand silver wire, finished with brass ferrules top and bottom (ferrules loose). Slender double-edged 31” blade of flattened hexagonal section, the long lens-shaped ricasso intricately engraved with Baroque designs. Very good condition with minor silver loss, scattered patches of pitting and age staining on the blade, primarily toward the tip. Overall length 36 1/2” (92.7 cm). Attractive sword of good quality.