Today we take a look at a custom rapier we've just finished. This sword form dates from the early to mid-1500s and is a relatively early form of rapier with a shorter blade than became popular over the next century. The outer guard is characterized by a knuckle bow and two tongues or nails that protect the hand, while the inner guard is an early form that consists of a single stirrup, bent at 90 degrees parallel to the blade.
This hilt style is intermediate between a Norman type 16, shown above, and a type 20, shown below. The main difference between this style and both of the Norman types is that the forward qullion arm becomes the knuckle-blow on this example, whereas the type 16 has no knuckle bow and the type 20 has both a knucklebow and forward quillion separately.
This type of 'in between' form is by no means uncommon, as typologies such as the Norman, Petersen, and Oakeshott typological systems are not exhaustive, but rather are attempts to identify common features that can then be used to compare actual examples.
The classification of this piece as a rapier or sidesword is debatable, so we've opted to call it a townsword, a civilian weapon to be worn easily at the side capable of both cuts and thrusts with equal facility. The minimal inner guard makes it easier to carry on the belt than later rapiers with larger guards that can cause the weapon to protrude awkwardly while sheathed.
As always, our swords are entirely made by us at our shop in Minneapolis, MN out of 6150 carbon steel, hardened and tempered to 50-52 Rockwell. Our swords and other weapons are made to look, feel, and function just like the historical originals on which they are based. Check out our full line of products here.
Arms & Armor is dedicated to quality and authenticity. Our craftspeople create our full range of historically accurate European weapons by hand in our shop. For over four decades we have worked with museums, collectors, and scholars to develop a deep understanding of European weapons; knowledge we use to make products that exemplify the finest qualities of the very best historic pieces. When we select historic items to reproduce, being pretty isn't enough, they have to move with grace and beauty, and beg to be used when in the hand. These are pieces that feel as good as they look, and that work as well as they feel. Our mission is to craft items that recreate the look, feel, and function of the best historic originals.
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