Leaf Wedding Rapiers -- [BLUNT]
Leaf Wedding Rapiers -- [BLUNT]
This pair of rapiers was commissioned for a wedding celebration.
The groom’s sword has a guard based on a piece by early 17th century German sword-maker Clemens Wopper which is on display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. I’ve made more direct replicas, but here I’ve converted the design from a 2-ring hilt with a counterguard to a symmetrical 3-ring hilt with both front and rear quillions. Unlike the original sword, this piece has a pommel in the shape of a tulip poplar leaf.
The bride’s sword is a transitional hilt with swept bars on each side and a dish in the shape of a loosestrife flower.
Both swords have spiral carved grips covered in leather and bound with wire, as well as matching etching on the blades.
The tulip-poplar sword has is mounted with a modified version of Hanwei’s wider blunt rapier blade. The Loosetrife sword has the narrower hanwe rapier blade, also blunt.
Both have leather scabbards with white brass fittings.