Italian 7-Ring Rapier, ca. 1620

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$4,495.00

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Iron hilt of forged round-section bars which form a series of 7 concentric rings, growing larger as they near the grip. The opening of the smallest ring filled on each side with a plate pierced with round holes. Recurved quillons, knucklebow, and gently faceted oval pommel. Grip wrapped with twisted iron wire with ferrules top and bottom; old, but probably not original. Slender hexagonal-section 37" blade with short central fuller on each side; inscribed each side "TOMAS * D* ALA*" in the fuller with an anchor mark just below. Tomas de Ayala of Toledo, 1566-1620, was bladesmith to king Phillip II of Spain (of Armada fame). While his signature was often copied, most known blades by Ayala were of this exact style and similarly marked. Dark patina with wear and scattered patches of light to moderate pitting on the blade. Overall length 43".