Splendid Finely Chiseled Continental 'Dish Hilt' Dueling Rapier Circa 1630

Extremely fine 41 inch rapier blade with 9 and 7/8th inch narrow fuller signed by the master “IVAN MARTINNO”. Diamond form blade had long flat on each side. Round dish style guard pierced with exotic engraved feathered birds amid blossoms and dragons overseen by two long haired, mustachioed. open mouthed gods. Quillon block beautifully forged in the round with reeded recurved quillions each ending in two pine cones (Augsburg?).

The block itself chiseled in relief with a large thistle. The wood grip entirely bound with elaborate twisted copper wire surmounted by two finely executed copper “Turk’s Heads”. The steel pommel chiseled ensuite in the round as a large expanded thistle all engraved.

49 inches overall. The condition of this wonderful rapier is fine throughout, the Martinno blade is excellent and of the very best quality. This is a spectacular rapier and sure to please the most particular collector of 17th century arms and armour.