Rapiers

The rapier was the quintessential sword of the late Renaissance and the first true civilian sidearm. In its early years of development the rapier was little more than a broadsword with a thinner, longer blade and an extra guard or two for the hand capable of either cutting or thrusting. As the rapier evolved, however, the blade became substantially longer, the guards for the hand became increasingly more elaborate, and the cut was almost totally abandoned in favor of the thrust. By the latter half of the 16th century we begin to find the form of the rapier with which we are most familiar: a long elegant sword with sweeping guards that encircle the hand; a beautiful marriage of function and form.

Our rapiers are in two general categories, characterized by their blade type: Epee or Schlager.

Rapiers with Epee Blades

Epee blades are essentially the same type of blade used in competitive epee fencing. They have a flattened triangular cross section and are light and very flexible. Their points are blunted but do not have the “button” used in competitive fencing.

The majority of our weapons are custom made so please note that, unless specified one of a kind, those listed below represent general groups with similar basic characteristics within which will be found slight variations in either hilt or blade. We typically stock four or five of each style. Be sure to call in advance to check on availability or with specific inquiries.

RAPIERS WITH EPEE BLADES		DESCRIPTION	WEEKLY PRICE *
	Small Swept Hilt Rapier	34 inch blade; 1 ¼ pounds The swept hilt rapier appeared in the last part of the 16th century and features sweeping guards to protect the hand from sword cuts.	$10
	Shell Guard Rapier	34 inch blade; 1 ¾ pounds This sword is named for the half shell shaped guard.	$10
	Musketeer Style Rapier	34 inch blade; 1 ¼ pounds The bronze manganese hilt is simple yet elegant and makes this the lightest rapier we have in stock.	$10
	Simple Steel Cup Hilt Rapier	34 inch blade; 1 ½ pounds The cup hilt was one of the final styles of rapier hilt which offered a steel “shield” to protect the hand.	$10
	Hollywood Cup Hilt Rapier, epee blade	34 inch blade; 1 ¾ pounds This rapier is often chosen by Captain Hook and can be seen with other Hook weapons on our Exotic Weapons page.	$10
	Italian Cup Hilt Rapier	34 inch blade; 1 ½ pounds The hilt is made of a bronze manganese alloy and the cup is aluminum making this weapon virtually immune to rust.	$10
	Aluminum Cup Hilt Rapier	34 inch blade; 1 ½ pounds These rapiers have an aluminum cup (one example pictured; various designs) which helps to give the sword a bright ring when the blade is struck. Aluminum also requires a minimum of maintenance.	$10
	Swept Hilt Rapier	34 inch blade; 1 ½ pounds The swept hilt rapier appeared in the last part of the 16th century and features sweeping guards to protect the hand from sword cuts.	$10
	Brass Pommel Rapier	34 inch blade; 1 ½ pounds These rapiers feature a unique grip and pommel arrangement with either a bilobate or small dish guard. This “transitional” design would have appeared around the middle of the 17th century.	$10
	Large Dish Hilt Rapier	34 inch blade; 1 ¾ pounds A design similar to the musketeer style above but with a simple non-ornamented dish in stainless steel.	$10
	Large Swept Hilt Rapier	34 inch blade; 2 ¼ pounds This rapier has a very large set of swept guards that is “beefier” than our other swept hilts but makes the blade feel very light in the hand.	$10
	Half-bow Musketeer Style Rapier	34 inch blade; 1 ¼ pounds This is the same rapier as the Musketeer style above with only a vestigial knuckle-bow.	$10
	Sabre with Epee Blade	34 inch blade; 1 pound This is a fencing weapon used primarily in the style designated by the SAFD as “single sword,” based upon the type of sword fighting seen on screen during Hollywood’s Golden Era. A light economical weapon with various uses.	$7.50

Rapiers with Schlager Blades

Schlager blades are more akin to what we commonly think of as a real sword blade. They have a flattened diamond cross section and are heavier than an epee blade yet incredibly flexible.

RAPIERS WITH SCHLAGER BLADES		DESCRIPTION	WEEKLY PRICE *
	Early Ring Guard Rapier	34 inch blade; 1 ¾ pounds An early form of the rapier with the beginnings of the more complex guards seen on later weapons.	$10
	Large Swept Hilt Rapier	36 inch blade; 2 ¼ pounds The swept hilt rapier appeared in the last part of the 16th century and features sweeping guards to protect the hand from sword cuts.	$10
	Hollywood Cup Hilt Rapier, schlager blade	34 inch blade; 1 ¾ pounds This rapier is often chosen by Captain Hook and can be seen with other Hook weapons on our Exotic Weapons page.	$10
	Fancy Swept Hilt Rapier with matching Dagger	34 inch blade; 2 ¼ pounds; one of a kind This set is finely crafted and balanced with an intricate silver and gold colored chain wrapping on the grip. The dagger can only be rented as part of the set.	$12.50 $20 with dagger

* 4 week minimum for all rentals. Scabbards with associated frog, baldric, or hanger are $2.50 when available. Simple frogs always supplied free of charge.