Arms and Armor Writhen Rapier Review

This is a review of an older Arms and Armor Writhen Rapier. The model I have is on the older side and has some differences compared to what they sell today. The review covers my thoughts and observations.

This Arms and Armor Writhen Rapier #151 rapier is based on a piece from the Wallace Collection. Modeled after an Italian rapier from the early 17th century, this rapier has a lot of character. I have been reluctant to do a review because my knowledge on such blades is very minimal. Still, it’s too pretty not to share.

This blade specs:
Overall: 42.5”
Girp:3.38”
Hilt with full guard: 8.5”
Hilt to Cross” 6.5”
Blade to ricasso: 34”
Blade to Cross: 36.25
Weight: 3lb 2ox
POB 9.5” from base 1” from the end of the ricasso
Pommel: 2.25” long
At ricasso: 1.19”x .195”
1” from tip: .49” x .145”

Advertised Specs:
The boldly roped steel hilt reflects the light dramatically and will impress friend and foe alike with its elegant form. The hand twisted bars of the hilt form a light but very sturdy guard. The steel hilt and pommel are mounted with a twisted wire-bound grip that is crowned with turksheads (a braided knot at the top and bottom). The Italian original dates to about 1625, though this style was seen as early as the 1580's.

Overall length: 43.37"
Blade: 34.25" x 1"
Weight: 2.8 pounds

Original piece specs:
Original: Circa 1625, Italian. Wallace Collection, London (A602)
Date: c. 1620
Medium: Steel, chiselled
Length: 113.4 cm
Width: 2.2 cm
Weight: 1.28 kg

Weapon Dynamics Link: - https://subcaelo.net/ensis/dynamics-c...


Notes from Wallace Collection about the original:
The original piece has a tighter wind in the grip. The hole near the end of the D guard seems better shaped. The rope decoration goes across the entire hilt rather than just the side that shows. The blade also has some carving on the ricasso and cleaner edges and lines on the flats.
There are no provided notes on the blade details at the museum but the original has a longer total length and is lighter. I would suspect the dynamics feel noticeably different.

“Rapier, the swept-hilt comprised of a spirally fluted, oviform pommel with button; spirally fluted, wire-bound grip; diagonally curved crossguard (slightly recurved horizontally) triple ring-guard, hilt-arms, loop-guard and knuckle-guard with end hooked, and four transverse bars on the inner side; the guards of bright steel, all boldly roped; blade of diamond section with slightly hollowed facets; the ricasso stamped with an oval shield incised with the maker's name:

FRANCESCHO / GASTIONE

Norman and Barne, 1980, pp. 51 and 234, pI. 54. There was a rapier in the Bernal sale, Christie's, 1855, lot 2146, signed CASTIONE (sic), probably the same swordsmith. This form of signature on an oval band was used by Sandri Scacchi and other Italian swordsmiths, cf. nos. A613, A629 and A788”

Wallace Collection link -
https://wallacelive.wallacecollection...

Link to Arms and Armor page - http://arms-n-armor.com/rapier151.html

Music provided by - Kevin MacLeod incompetech.com

Link to the new facebook spot -   / matthewjensenswordreview  
Link to the new patreon spot -   / krunan  
Link to my ebay sales page - http://www.ebay.com/usr/krunangree