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Rapier: HEN.M.234-1933

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Maker(s)

Production: Unknown (Possibly)

Entities

Categories

Description

Rapier. Small button-like pommel, fluted on top, with a sharp collar underneath. Very short barrel-shaped grip, spirally fluted: only the dark wood case of which remains, bearing clear imprints of stout twisted wire having been in the flutes. There is a strong, faceted collar of steel at top and bottom.
Widely-arched knuckle-guard of circular section, very wide straight quillons of the same section, the tips decorated with a double encircling incised line; strong cusped ecusson and branches. There are two large shell-guards, the divisions between which, below the quillons, are filled each with a large loop flanked by a smaller one on either side of it. The inner shell is plain, but its outer one is crudely chiselled with leafy patterns, above which, separated by a straight band, is possibly a lion passant, between foliage.
Long, very slender blade of deep diamond section, with a very long ricasso and a deep narrow fuller at the forte. On each side, in this fuller, is a legend: on the obverse, 'XX MEV . SINNAL . SANTISMO . CRVCIFICIO XX' and on the reverse, 'XXX ENRICO COLL ESPADERO EN ALAMANIA XX'. This is the name of the German Hadesmid Heinrich Coll written in Spanish form.
The sword presumably made in Germany (Solingen) for the Spanish market.
The mark of the crucifix is on the ricasso. Leather scabbard with locket of chased steel.
Norman hilt type not specified.

Legal notes

J.S. Henderson Bequest

Measurements and weight

Length: 112.5 cm

Acquisition and important dates

Method of acquisition: Bequeathed (1933-03-16) by Henderson, James Stewart

Dating

17th Century
Circa 1650 CE - 1680 CE

Note

Possibly made in Germany in the Spanish style

Components of the work

Grip composed of wood (plant material)
Parts composed of steel
Blade Length 95.8 cm
Blade At Hilt Width 1.4 cm
Decoration
Sword

Inscription or legends present

  • Text: XX MEV . SINNAL . SANTISMO . CRVCIFICIO XX
  • Location: On blade, obverse
  • Method of creation: Inscribed
  • Text: XXX ENRICO COLL ESPADERO EN ALAMANIA XX
  • Location: On blade, reverse
  • Method of creation: Inscribed

Identification numbers

Accession number: HEN.M.234-1933
Primary reference Number: 18971

Audit data

Created: Saturday 6 August 2011 Updated: Monday 29 April 2024

Associated departments & institutions

Owner or interested party: The Fitzwilliam Museum
Associated department: Applied Arts

Citation for print

This record can be cited in the Harvard Bibliographic style using the text below:

The Fitzwilliam Museum (2025) "Rapier" Web page available at: https://collection.beta.fitz.ms/id/object/18971 Accessed: 2025-12-05 22:41:43

Citation for Wikipedia

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{{cite web|url=https://collection.beta.fitz.ms/id/object/18971 |title=Rapier |author=The Fitzwilliam Museum|accessdate=2025-12-05 22:41:43|publisher=The University of Cambridge}}

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