Spanish Rapier

 The rapier began to develop at around the turn of the 15th century as the Spanish espada ropera, or “dress sword”. It was a fast and light single-handed sword designed for cutting and thrusting. In 1570 the Italian swordmaster Signior Rocco Bonetti settled in England and advocated the use of the rapier for thrusting as opposed to cutting when engaged in a duel. Although it was generally seen as a civilian weapon, more robust versions such as the Pappenheimer Rapier were developed for battlefield use and saw service in conflicts such as the English Civil War. Many rapier treatises still survive including “The Schoole of the Noble and Worthy Science of Defence” written in England in 1617 by Joseph Swetnam.

This Rapier features a hand forged complex hilt constructed from steel and polished to a bright finish. The wire-bound handle is both attractive and functional – allowing for a firmer grip than the leather bound equivalent.