Taza Rapier Late 16th

This rapier is typical of military rapiers from the very beginning of the 17th century. The blade is probably older, since it is  comparable in shape to that of a rapier of Charles V dating from 1550-1553 kept at the Metropolitan Museum (https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection /search/21934 ) Two rapiers from the 1600s by Wolfgang Stantler, although with richer mounts, also have blades of a similar shape.
The mount, very simple, corresponds to military use. Here we are in the presence of a rapier intended for war, capable of striking with slash and thrust.
BLADE: After a very short ricasso, it takes on a diamond-shaped section that is initially wide, then gradually becomes thinner to the tip. Note that the last 40 centimeters near the tip were heavily cleaned in the past, removing the traces of oxidation which remained much more visible on the first 50 centimeters of the blade. The blade has retained its original length.
Length of the blade 96.7 cm, width at the ricasso = 3.6 cm thickness at the ricasso = 8 mm
GUARD : The edge of the bowl is turned to form a part  called “point breaker” (“rompe puntas”). At the bottom of the bowl, we note the presence around the blade of an oval plate which appears to be made of tin or lead, probably intended to dampen vibrations.
An unusual feature is that the quillons pass through the bowl, instead of resting on the edge of it, as will be the case later.
The quillons are straight, soberly decorated with oblique lines. the guard Knuckle bow branch is curved, decorated with drilling. It ends near the pommel without touching it.
POMMEL : it has a flattened globular shape.
GRIP : it is in the shape of a coil, and has a longitudinal groove on the narrowest faces. This shape of handle is typical of the second half of the 16th century, and the very beginning of the 17th. It is covered with the original twisted wire binding. The crown ferrules called "Turk's heads" are present and in good condition.
It is therefore a military rapier whose historical interest is certain, although the utilitarian aspect was preferred to the aesthetic aspect
Shipping costs: France €30, Europe €50
Ref F-2446