"Pappenheimer" Sword-Rapier

Culture German

Cultureor Dutch

Dateabout 1630s

Mediumsteel, iron and wood

Dimensions123.2 × 3.2 × 99.7 cm (48 1/2 × 1 1/4 × 39 1/4 in.), 3 lb, 8 oz (weight)

ClassificationsArms and Armor

Credit LineThe John Woodman Higgins Armory Collection

Terms

Object number2014.348

DescriptionUnusually large sword, with long steel double-edge flat hexagonal-section blade tapering slightly to reshaped spatulate point. Both faces with 3 deep narrow central full-length fullers. Middle fuller at about mid-length stamped with 3 crosses 'formée'. Thick long hollow-ground rectangular section ricasso.

Iron hilt of Norman type 65, stock of rectangular section, with long horizontally & vertically recurved quillons with large fishtail terminals. Short pointed écusson on both faces; arms of hilt; curved knuckle guard with fishtail terminal nearly touching pommel. 2 inner & outer symmetrical side rings, lower ring is oblate with inserted plate pierced with alternating rows of 8-pointed stars & quatrefoils. Rings linked below and via a short vertical branch at top to another side ring, which is itself linked via branches to rear quillon & knuckle guard at mid-height.

Iron octagonal section inverted fig-shaped pommel of Norman type 64, with short molded neck & thick base. The tang passes through the flattened top, and is peened over a short, necked iron button.

Restored wooden grip spirally wrapped with 4 strands of fine twisted iron wire, alternating with thicker one & spaced by pair of twisted cabled wire. Iron "Turk's heads" above & below.

There are traces of an ancient, brass-braised repair to the rear quillon. A pair of small, v-shaped cuts in the hilt base where the blade tang passes seems to suggest that the present blade is not that originally fitted. The blade also has a large gap between the tang and this passage, but otherwise is convincing; it is probably a working life association, and may be German.
ProvenancePurchased by John W. Higgins on November 23, 1928 from American Art Association (NY), lot no. 110 (Dean armor sale). Given to the Museum on December 15, 1931. Collection transfer from Higgins Armory, January 2014.

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