Rare Duelling Rapier Called "flamberge" By Francisco Ruiz "el Viejo"

This duelling rapier is very unusual. It is a so-called "flamberge" rapier of Toledo origin, which dates from the early years of the 17th century. The blade bears the prestigious signature of Francisco Ruiz, which corresponds to Francisco Ruiz "el viejo" (= the elder) active at the beginning of the 17th century, and also his hallmark, associated with the hallmark of the city of Toledo which confirms the authenticity of the signature.
The shape of the mount is very particular, since we note the absence of quillons, replaced by very large finger rings called "donkey's feet" and a guard with pierced plates. This shape could correspond to a fashion of Dutch origin, which would be quite logical given that at the time Flanders was Spanish.
This type of guard is however the only example that I have had the opportunity to see, even after researching the sales catalog
BLADE: After a 4 cm long ricasso on which we find on each face the T / O punch of Toledo, and the F / O punch crowned by Francisco Ruiz "el viejo", the blade takes a hexagonal section with a central groove of 20 cm. In this groove, we find engraved:
On one side + + + DEFRANCISCO + + +
And on the other one + + + RUIZ + ENTOLEDO + + +  
The letters E and D are inscribed according to the particular graphics characteristic of the blades of Toledo.
Length of the blade: from the ecusson = 93 cm, from the guard shells = 89 cm, which corresponds to the lengths in vogue at this period, after the abandonment of the very bulky and inconvenient oversized blades of the second half of the 16th century. width near the ricasso = 1.5 cm, thickness near the ricasso = 8.6 mm, balance point at 8 cm from the guard plates.
GUARD it is made up of two very large finger rings called "donkey steps" or "arms" , which join a double-bridged part: on one side a large heart-shaped frame surrounds a finely openwork shell, and on the other side a "twin" bridge made up of two adjoining ovals which also each surround a finely openwork shell.
POMMEL: it is shaped like an elongated olive with 12 facets, which according to some authors would symbolize the 12 apostles. The pommel is topped with an inverted conical button on which the tang of the blade is riveted.
GRIP : : it is fluted, and surrounded by a very fine double twisted wire binding in chevrons, which is original and in good condition. The braided crown ferrules called "Turks' heads" are present and in good condition.
In conclusion, this is a very special model. The rarity of the type of mount and the prestigious signature of the famous Francisco Ruiz "el viejo" justify that it finds its place in a collection of rapiers
Shipping costs France 30€, Europe 40€
Ref AMC-2276-BM2462