North Italian (Brescia) Shell Guard Rapier, ca. 1640
Unavailable
Symmetrical steel guard of round-section bars featuring long straight quillons, knucklebow, large pas d’ane, and double side rings; each filled with a large plate, pierced and chiseled in the shape of a seashell. A series of three looping bars fills the ends of the guard on both sides, joining with the quillons and side rings. Faceted bun- shaped pommel with small turned button. Original grip wrap of two different sizes of iron wire and finished with turks heads top and bottom. Slender 46 7/8" diamond-section blade with short central fuller, stamped with maker’s name “** IOHANNIS ** COLL ** with another mark below the fuller on both sides. This is probably Johannes Kohl the Elder of Solingen, active approx. 1580-1620. At this time Brescia was under the control of Spain and the Spanish influence is evident. Guard a little loose, but the sword is complete and original and likely never been apart. Overall length 53 3/4".
Antique Weapon Store
Tuckasegee, North Carolina
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