North Italian Cuphilt Rapier, First Half 17th C

Description

Featuring deep iron cup guard pierced with a series of round holes and rectangles in the
shape of crosses, with additional rectangular-section bars extending from the base of the
cup upwards and forming scrolls at the top, with more bars on the side in scroll and heart
shape joining the long, straight quillons and knuckle bow. Turned byn-shape pommel with
large button; original grip with fine twisted iron wire wrap and iron ferrules top and bottom.
Slender 38 1/2″ (97.8 cm) blade of lens section, with narrow 7″ central fuller pierced with
geometric designs; left-facing king’s head maker’s mark deeply stamped below the fuller on
each side. This is certainly the mark of a member of the Solingen Wundes Family, probably
Johannes Wundes, the Younger (1578-1650). Very good condition, the metal cleaned over
light pitting. Overall length 46″ (117 cm).