CAS/Iberia Pappenheimer Rapier
Feb 13, 2009 18:38:59 GMT
Post by Deleted on Feb 13, 2009 18:38:59 GMT
CAS/Iberia Pappenheimer Rapier Review - Larry
In view of recent discussion about the lack of sub-300 swords being reviewed here in this forum, and more so, the lack of focus on rapier, it’s only timely therefore I put this up now. I got hold of this sword since late December 2008, but have never gotten down to work on the review until now… largely due to my procrastination.
Brief Background Surrounding Pappenheimer Rapier– Extracts from Wikipedia & other Internet sources
“Since late 1400s, the adoption of the matchlock and wheellock had gradually put the use of full suit of body armour to an end, except for ceremonial purposes, and consequently armoured gauntlets; this led to the development of knuckle bow and cage-like rings of metal bars joining at the quillions and the hilt in order to protect the now “unarmoured” sword hand.
By late 1500s the rapier underwent another subtle alteration; open space between these metal rings at the hilt were enhanced with decorative grillwork or shells - a design known as the Pappenheimer, after General Gottfried Heinrich Pappenheim, Graf zu - German military leader and Imperial Field Marshal in the Thirty Years War (1594 – 1632). To know more about General Pappenheim, click HERE”
The Sword
The CAS/Iberia Pappenheimer Rapier (Rapier Frog compliment of its previous owner who sold this set to me at Sub-300)
Overall Length (w/o scabbard): 44 ½”
Blade Length: 35 ¾”
Blade Width near Hilt: 7/8”
Width of Quillion: 9 ½”
Grip: 4 5/8” (Not including pommel)
Point of Balance: 1 7/8” from Hilt Shell
Weight: 1.4 kg
The Blade
The blade is evenly finished in high gloss polish, with Dalian Horse logo neatly etched on one side of the ricasso. I have always loved blades which are highly polished but the problem with such blade surface is that by the time the sword travelled around the globe to reach me, there’s usually some kind of scuff marks on it, amplified by the overall polished surface. Ironical. Fortunately, this piece’s an exception and I have the previous owner & the shipping company to thank
Though relatively narrow in width, the blade is sturdy and sports a good point, therefore likely to be suited for both cut and thrust purposes.
The Hilt
The hilt assembly is nicely put together, and the plates on the guard are pierced and backed with red suede glued into place. This makes the diamond-shaped pierce-work simple yet able to stand out elegantly.
The arms on the Pappenheimer’s hilt are all cleanly cast in diamond cross-sections and joints evenly welded – all kudos to CAS/Iberia artisans for a job well-done.
The hilt is ambidextrous, meaning it is suitable for both right- and left-hand use: a very thoughtful consideration of its designer. And as with most, if not all, earlier CAS/Iberia models, the grip core is plastic, cast in a hexagonal cross-section and tightly wrapped with wire. I examined the grip and found that the wires are evenly coiled and show no sign of incomplete wrappings.
The portion of the ricasso between the shell guard and the quillion block is wrapped with black leather, neatly stitched to one side. This not only enhance the look aesthetically, it also add comfort, albeit little, to the index finger of those swordmen who preferred to hook a finger across the quillion block for additional blade-point controls.
No details were spared in the design and production of this rapier, including its pommel..
The Scabbard
The scabbard is straight, sleek and come with metal throat and chape. I cannot make out what's the core of the scabbard made of, though some said it's of plastic; feel free to disagree on this
As can be seen in the above close-up, the leather over the scabbard is neatly stitched over the back of the scabbard – another thoughtful handiwork!
The inside of the scabbard throat is lined with a relatively thick piece of leather (?) which acts to grip the blade (at the ricasso) tightly so that it does not rattle when sheathed.
Handling
(Sorry folks, I do not have cutting ‘facility’ within my apartment, and also do not wish to scratch my blades, so no cutting vid.. Sorry )
Do not be deceived by its thin blade - the Pappenheimer Rapier is quite weighty – esp. after prolong handling in my novice, untrained hand! Recovery is therefore slow, even seemingly clumsy at times. I would like to confess that this could be partially due to the combination of the long blade, fairly large & heft hilt, and, my weak arms.
Conclusion
Historical Accuracy: 4/5
Handling: 3.5/5
Fit & Finish: 5/5
Structural Integrity: 4/5
Value for Money: 5/5 (sub-300USD c/w complimentary rapier frog).
Overall: 4.4
While the Pappenheimer Rapier may seem a little unwieldy (to me), it cerainly makes great conversational piece whenever there are guests in the house; holding it in hand, it easily conjures up images of Renaissance battle fields, cavalry charges or even personal duels. I am overjoyed to have this in my humble collection, indeed.
In view of recent discussion about the lack of sub-300 swords being reviewed here in this forum, and more so, the lack of focus on rapier, it’s only timely therefore I put this up now. I got hold of this sword since late December 2008, but have never gotten down to work on the review until now… largely due to my procrastination.
Brief Background Surrounding Pappenheimer Rapier– Extracts from Wikipedia & other Internet sources
“Since late 1400s, the adoption of the matchlock and wheellock had gradually put the use of full suit of body armour to an end, except for ceremonial purposes, and consequently armoured gauntlets; this led to the development of knuckle bow and cage-like rings of metal bars joining at the quillions and the hilt in order to protect the now “unarmoured” sword hand.
By late 1500s the rapier underwent another subtle alteration; open space between these metal rings at the hilt were enhanced with decorative grillwork or shells - a design known as the Pappenheimer, after General Gottfried Heinrich Pappenheim, Graf zu - German military leader and Imperial Field Marshal in the Thirty Years War (1594 – 1632). To know more about General Pappenheim, click HERE”
The Sword
The CAS/Iberia Pappenheimer Rapier (Rapier Frog compliment of its previous owner who sold this set to me at Sub-300)
Overall Length (w/o scabbard): 44 ½”
Blade Length: 35 ¾”
Blade Width near Hilt: 7/8”
Width of Quillion: 9 ½”
Grip: 4 5/8” (Not including pommel)
Point of Balance: 1 7/8” from Hilt Shell
Weight: 1.4 kg
The Blade
The blade is evenly finished in high gloss polish, with Dalian Horse logo neatly etched on one side of the ricasso. I have always loved blades which are highly polished but the problem with such blade surface is that by the time the sword travelled around the globe to reach me, there’s usually some kind of scuff marks on it, amplified by the overall polished surface. Ironical. Fortunately, this piece’s an exception and I have the previous owner & the shipping company to thank
Though relatively narrow in width, the blade is sturdy and sports a good point, therefore likely to be suited for both cut and thrust purposes.
The Hilt
The hilt assembly is nicely put together, and the plates on the guard are pierced and backed with red suede glued into place. This makes the diamond-shaped pierce-work simple yet able to stand out elegantly.
The arms on the Pappenheimer’s hilt are all cleanly cast in diamond cross-sections and joints evenly welded – all kudos to CAS/Iberia artisans for a job well-done.
The hilt is ambidextrous, meaning it is suitable for both right- and left-hand use: a very thoughtful consideration of its designer. And as with most, if not all, earlier CAS/Iberia models, the grip core is plastic, cast in a hexagonal cross-section and tightly wrapped with wire. I examined the grip and found that the wires are evenly coiled and show no sign of incomplete wrappings.
The portion of the ricasso between the shell guard and the quillion block is wrapped with black leather, neatly stitched to one side. This not only enhance the look aesthetically, it also add comfort, albeit little, to the index finger of those swordmen who preferred to hook a finger across the quillion block for additional blade-point controls.
No details were spared in the design and production of this rapier, including its pommel..
The Scabbard
The scabbard is straight, sleek and come with metal throat and chape. I cannot make out what's the core of the scabbard made of, though some said it's of plastic; feel free to disagree on this
As can be seen in the above close-up, the leather over the scabbard is neatly stitched over the back of the scabbard – another thoughtful handiwork!
The inside of the scabbard throat is lined with a relatively thick piece of leather (?) which acts to grip the blade (at the ricasso) tightly so that it does not rattle when sheathed.
Handling
(Sorry folks, I do not have cutting ‘facility’ within my apartment, and also do not wish to scratch my blades, so no cutting vid.. Sorry )
Do not be deceived by its thin blade - the Pappenheimer Rapier is quite weighty – esp. after prolong handling in my novice, untrained hand! Recovery is therefore slow, even seemingly clumsy at times. I would like to confess that this could be partially due to the combination of the long blade, fairly large & heft hilt, and, my weak arms.
Conclusion
Historical Accuracy: 4/5
Handling: 3.5/5
Fit & Finish: 5/5
Structural Integrity: 4/5
Value for Money: 5/5 (sub-300USD c/w complimentary rapier frog).
Overall: 4.4
While the Pappenheimer Rapier may seem a little unwieldy (to me), it cerainly makes great conversational piece whenever there are guests in the house; holding it in hand, it easily conjures up images of Renaissance battle fields, cavalry charges or even personal duels. I am overjoyed to have this in my humble collection, indeed.