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Rapiers

Scope note

Light swords with a long, narrow, double-edged blade and a hilt furnished with extensive protection for the hand, such as arms of the hilt and side rings, a shell guard, or a cup guard. Originally designed for both cutting and thrusting, they developed into purely thrusting swords and became the principal fencing weapons of the 16th and 17th centuries.

Term type

AAT

Getty AAT term number

300037085

Broader Terms used

<swords by form>

Narrower Terms used

estocs

Equivalent Terms used

rapier

Created

13yrs ago

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The Fitzwilliam Museum (2024) "Terminology definition for: rapiers" Web page available at: https://collection.beta.fitz.ms/id/terminology/term-87250 Accessed: 2024-12-19 08:56:03

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