An English Rapier, Mid-17th Century

With tapering double-edged blade of flattened diamond section, blackened iron hilt (old pitting) comprising symmetrical shell-guard enclosing a convex plate on each side pierced with numerous small holes within a border of lightly chiselled foliage, lobed rear quillon, knuckle-guard hooked into the pommel and linked by two scrolled side-bars on each side to the shell-guard, globular pommel with flattened button, spirally-grooved leather-covered grip bound with a strand of twisted brass wire between Turk's heads, and remains of leather liner faced in red woollen cloth
80.9 cm. blade