Austrian Military Rapier, Late 16th C, likely from Schloss Ambras, Innsbruck

Description

Hilt of oval-section bars of Norman Type 25/26, featuring vertically recurved quillons with heart-shaped finials, the forward one upturned and forming a partial knuckle guard. Two bars on the obverse extending upward from the bottom of the pas d’ane, also with heart-shaped finials. Inner guard of Norman Type 11 with three bars extending from the bottom of the pas d’ane and joining the quillon block. Fishtail pommel with pierced hole of Norman Type 40. Spiral grip with two sizes of fine twisted wire, finished with Turks heads top and bottom. Tapering 36 1/4” double-edged blade of lens section with line-bordered hollow-ground ricasso stamped with a “W” maker’s mark (probably that of Michel Witz, theYounger, of Innsbruck). A number of swords of this hilt and pommel type are in the Armory of Schloss Ambras, Innsbruck, Austria. Considering the blade bears an Innsbruck maker’s mark, this sword was almost certainly made for the Schloss Ambras Armory. Other swords of this type are also exhibited in the Bavarian Army Museum, Ingolstadt. Guard slightly loose, the blade with light pitting and age staining. Overall length 42”.