Today we take an up close look at the Arms and Armor German Rapier. This piece is a replica of an original in the Deutsches Klingenmuseum Solingen, Germany. The original dates from around the year 1600 and was made in Soligen by Johannes Mumm, a famed smith and cutler. As with all of our swords, this is made entirely by us at our shop in Minneapolis, Minnesota USA.
The outside guard of the German Rapier
Weighing about 2.25 lbs with a blade of 42.5 inches, this rapier perfectly suits the fencing traditions of the time that emphasized the potency of the thrust.
For example, Salvator Fabris' "On defense, or the practice of arms" was published in 1601 and illustrates a system of combat with the rapier, rapier and dagger, and rapier and cape.
This sword is available as a sharp or as a training and competition blunt. There is also a companion parrying dagger with a 12" blade that is also available either sharp or as a blunt (if you want it blunt just email us, it is the same price).
Check out the video here...
Nathan Clough, Ph.D. is Vice President of Arms and Armor and a member of the governing board of The Oakeshott Institute. He is a historical martial artist and a former university professor of cultural geography. He has given presentations on historical arms at events including Longpoint and Combatcon, and presented scholarly papers at, among others, The International Congress on Medieval Studies.
Craig Johnson is the Production Manager of Arms and Armor and Secretary of The Oakeshott Institute. He has taught and published on the history of arms, armor and western martial arts for over 30 years. He has lectured at several schools and Universities, WMAW, HEMAC, 4W, and ICMS at Kalamazoo. His experiences include iron smelting, jousting, theatrical combat instruction and choreography, historical research, European martial arts and crafting weapons and armor since 1985