European Swept Hilt Rapier, First Half 17th C

Featuring iron hilt formed of oval-section bars, comprising vertically recurved quillons with flat button finials, pas d’ane with single side ring and two curved bars extending upward from either side of its base and joining the knuckle guard on the obverse. The reverse with smaller round-section bars extending up from the base of the side ring to join the knuckle guard; the central section with a decorative pierced panel. Ovoid pommel with button; grip with two sizes of twisted iron wire wrap and finished with Turks heads top and bottom. Slender, unmarked 42 3/4″ (108.6 cm) blade of flattened diamond section. Blade cleaned, with light pitting; hilt with scattered light pitting and rust marking. Guard and pommel have some movement. Overall length 48 1/2″ (123.2 cm). Provenance: The prestigious Russell Char Collection, Las Vegas.