AN ENGLISH CUP-HILTED RAPIER C.1640-50

This rapier, while a true cup-hilt, is influenced by the style known as dish-hilted rapiers which lasted about two decades in the midcentury. The iron hilt is decorated in large scale foliage. Unlike dish-hilted rapiers, the cup is sufficiently deep to allow for a grip with the first finger ahead of the cross guard as was the technique with swept hilted rapiers. The large pommel provided a counter balance for effective control when so gripped. The blade, made to conform to English law dictating a maximum of 26”, is pierced at the forte. It dates to the period of the English Civil Wars and could have served on horseback as effectively as on foot.