BELL RAPIER

German, in the style of the 2nd half of the 17th century, work from the 19th century.
Iron hilt, plum-shaped pommel, eight grooves, decorated with carved leaves, flat rivet head. Open knuckle guard transitioning into long twisted quillons, large grip rings, hemispherical bell screwed into the grip rings. Open-worked, bell rim broadly scalloped, four decorative medallions in laurel wreaths depicting warriors and battle scenes, as well as mascarons and ornaments. Grip wrapped with fine iron wire. Blade (L 105.5 cm), German 17th/18th century, assumed. Center fluting inscribed at the base, "DE AIALA".
L 127.2 cm.

A decorative, beautifully-crafted bell rapier with a Solingen blade, with an imitation of the signature of the famous Toledan gunsmith Thomas de Aiala.