Who said Rapier's aren't stiff?

[George Turner]

Go to http://ecom.michaeldlong.net/
and follow the route
EDGED WEAPONS / SWORDS / NEW STOCK
item 88627 ITALIAN (MILANESE) SWEPT HILT RAPIER

"A Very Fine & Handsome Italian (Milanese) Swept Hilt Rapier. Single quillon down curved and with termination of a flattened oval panel , Pas d ½ne with ring guard coming from base of ricasso swelling towards centre panel. The counter guard is of three round branches uniting into one and joining the center of the knuckle guard, front side of the knuckle guard looped to large ring guard, again swelling towards centre oval panel and joined to Pas d ½ne. The pommel being flattened cylindrical form, and pierced with open scroll work. The hilt entirely chiseled and engraved in deep relief, depicting panels of soldiers on horse back with open scroll work on each side of each panel with the other areas covered with floral decoration and strap work. All the background with punched decoration. Double edged blade 38 inch with two fullers running the entire length each side and stamped with a makers mark. Very Attractive & Outstanding Rapier. Fine Investment. Circa 1590"

They want about us$4500

Many more pictures of it, too! With the 38" blade length given anyone should be able to scale the photos.

The item listed above it, "88457 NORTHERN EUROPEAN (NETHERLANDS) SWEPT HILT RAPIER" looks more like a cutting blade to me.

[John_Clements]

This kind of blade is not uncommon.
It fits a wide variety of spathological termonology.
It's similiar to Di Grassi's spada, to the German Degen & Reitschwert, to Meyer's Rappier, and to English short swords and field swords, as well as earlier Italain side swords.
Remember, there were all sorts of swords, experimentation was constant, and they found many designs of blade shape, cross-section and length capable of doing the same things.
we see ones like this much wider and much pointier, and then all kinds in between.

JC

[John_Clements]

We'll be discussing this at the Gathering, Sean.

JC