Details
A COMBINED SWEPT-HILT RAPIER AND WHEEL-LOCK PISTOL in late 16th Century style, the double-edged blade of flattened diamond section struck on one face with a star mark, and with wide ricasso shaped to the wheel-lock mechanism, large blued iron hilt (blueing rubbed) of flat bars comprising long vertically recurved quillons with large oval terminals, arms, the tips linked on the outside by two side-rings, each with a larger one bent towards the hand and linked by a curved bar to the knuckle-guard, and on the inside by a trifurcated bar involving a thumb-ring, and barrel-shaped pommel, with, set in each side of the pommel, the outside of the quillon-block and terminals, and the centre of the side-rings cast gilt-copper panels with scenes of Classical warriors in combat in relief, and wooden grip bound with twisted silver wire, attached to the right side of the ricasso is a slender two-stage barrel and a box-like wheel-lock with external wheel, the bridle shaped and engraved as a monster, sliding pan-cover, heart-shaped release button, and safety-catch, the whole etched with strapwork framing fine scrolls, and chequered button trigger on the left side of the ricasso
39in. blade
