Arms and Armor 7 Ring Rapier Kit
Nov 6, 2011 16:22:00 GMT
Post by Dave Kelly on Nov 6, 2011 16:22:00 GMT
Arms and Armor 7 Ring Rapier
Introduction
This is more of a period/costume piece than a "Sword Revue", thus my decision to slip this into the genre discussion section. I purchased this amazing rapier second hand from M D Long Antiques last winter. My first bid came in too late by an hour, but after four days the rapier was back on the sales docket as the original buyer failed to pay on time.
This fall I decided to flesh out the ensemble for the rapier. Asked Sonny Suttles for a scabbard, Ravenswoods for a baldric, found a suitable DelTin dagger at Kult of Athena, boots from SCABoots, and a clothier here in Virginia. Took about 11 weeks to bring it altogether.
Ima a tellayu officesa una momento heesa here, den abang en aboom en dats all a left...
Nah, nah eets a magica. Eets a float inna di air. Wadda you mean I hold ona da sword...?
Historic
According to the A V B Norman reference authority ( The Rapier and Small-Sword 1460-1820, Arno Press 1980 ), the multi bar hilt of which the 7 ring was the most prolific, is logged by Norman as a Type 68. Popular form in the 1620-50 timeframe.
Statistics
Weapons
The Rapier
Ample blade at 38.5 inches. The grip is a typical 3.25 inches. The elliptic cylinder pommel is wrist friendly and easily extends the grip below the quillons. I can't see fighting this rapier without reaching over the quillons though. The ringed basket just presents too much weight bias to make it feel happy. A lot of weight to have to work with, 3.25 lbs. Takes a lot of train-up to work that much weight comfortably for any amount of time. Once you get comfortable though, the balance of this sword well supports the direct style of the rapier.
The Main Gauche
The DelTin German late period left hand dagger is right for the timeframe. Big, swordlike bladed and shell guarded it is an efficient second hand weapon. The grip is too short for a large hand. Unlike a contemporaneous "sail" guard, this has a knuckle bow that goes back to the pommel. This further restricts the hand, blocking extension over the pommel. I find myself reaching the thumb over the guard on to the blade to create more space.
Scabbards
The tint ain't right? Another shot? Look I'm old. I wanna sit down...
The Sonny Suttles scabbard is what he markets as a "simple" type. Wood cored and your choice of available colors. I did ask for a suitable rapier steel shoe and a leather reinforced throat. Typical of Sonny, the throat and chape wood cores have been carved with flourishes that were a surprise. All that and still charged the basic price.
Kult of Athens initiated a basic scabbard program back last winter. Hadn't thought to use it until the DelTin needed one. Thought I'd give it a try. Asked for red dyed if possible. Guess I could have asked if a near color match was possible to vivid red. I got red
. This is a leather only scabbard. Quality of the leather is very good; not heavy bridle stock, but better than what A&A gives you for $100. The sew up on the back side is not flush, but gathered up. Still, it is very nicely executed with fine stitches. It's a viable alternative I'm willing to use again.
Baldric
Chili con carne and watermelon. What was I thinking of?...
It's a Ravenswood. What more needs to be said.
Boots
Odingaard put me on to SCABoots some time ago. They are a retailer for Chinese manufacture, pig skin boots. Their prices are unbeatable, and service is fast. If you are not inclined to pay for a heavy duty, period exact pair of boots this is an excellent price point concious way to go. Several selections and they go up to size 14.
Gloves
Red rawhide gloves from Windlass. Windlass finished leather gloves are all too light weight for my purposes, but these rawhides are very good. Regularly $45, MRL has been discounting the reds to $19.
Clothes
Ask me for a discount one more time and I'm gona cut of your ears and nose...
www.twinrosesdesigns.com/index.html
I found their catalog while shopping. They're local to me. I just fell in love with what they have on site. ( I want an Edwardian Coat/Cloak; but I have no use for it. Like I need 108 swords, duh :roll: )
Light weight, modern cotton processed fabrics with period character. Getting in and out of this stuff is like rigging a sailing ship :lol: . Looks great on camera.
Conclusion
Bad news. The whole project cost $1700. Good news. If I had purchased the rapier new it alone would have cost more.
Buying the Deltin was probably the only item I could have undercut.
Hope this was entertaining and useful.
Welcome to share vendors.
Introduction
This is more of a period/costume piece than a "Sword Revue", thus my decision to slip this into the genre discussion section. I purchased this amazing rapier second hand from M D Long Antiques last winter. My first bid came in too late by an hour, but after four days the rapier was back on the sales docket as the original buyer failed to pay on time.
This fall I decided to flesh out the ensemble for the rapier. Asked Sonny Suttles for a scabbard, Ravenswoods for a baldric, found a suitable DelTin dagger at Kult of Athena, boots from SCABoots, and a clothier here in Virginia. Took about 11 weeks to bring it altogether.
Ima a tellayu officesa una momento heesa here, den abang en aboom en dats all a left...
Nah, nah eets a magica. Eets a float inna di air. Wadda you mean I hold ona da sword...?
Historic
According to the A V B Norman reference authority ( The Rapier and Small-Sword 1460-1820, Arno Press 1980 ), the multi bar hilt of which the 7 ring was the most prolific, is logged by Norman as a Type 68. Popular form in the 1620-50 timeframe.
Statistics
Weapons
The Rapier
Ample blade at 38.5 inches. The grip is a typical 3.25 inches. The elliptic cylinder pommel is wrist friendly and easily extends the grip below the quillons. I can't see fighting this rapier without reaching over the quillons though. The ringed basket just presents too much weight bias to make it feel happy. A lot of weight to have to work with, 3.25 lbs. Takes a lot of train-up to work that much weight comfortably for any amount of time. Once you get comfortable though, the balance of this sword well supports the direct style of the rapier.
The Main Gauche
The DelTin German late period left hand dagger is right for the timeframe. Big, swordlike bladed and shell guarded it is an efficient second hand weapon. The grip is too short for a large hand. Unlike a contemporaneous "sail" guard, this has a knuckle bow that goes back to the pommel. This further restricts the hand, blocking extension over the pommel. I find myself reaching the thumb over the guard on to the blade to create more space.
Scabbards
The tint ain't right? Another shot? Look I'm old. I wanna sit down...
The Sonny Suttles scabbard is what he markets as a "simple" type. Wood cored and your choice of available colors. I did ask for a suitable rapier steel shoe and a leather reinforced throat. Typical of Sonny, the throat and chape wood cores have been carved with flourishes that were a surprise. All that and still charged the basic price.
Kult of Athens initiated a basic scabbard program back last winter. Hadn't thought to use it until the DelTin needed one. Thought I'd give it a try. Asked for red dyed if possible. Guess I could have asked if a near color match was possible to vivid red. I got red
. This is a leather only scabbard. Quality of the leather is very good; not heavy bridle stock, but better than what A&A gives you for $100. The sew up on the back side is not flush, but gathered up. Still, it is very nicely executed with fine stitches. It's a viable alternative I'm willing to use again.Baldric
Chili con carne and watermelon. What was I thinking of?...
It's a Ravenswood. What more needs to be said.
Boots
Odingaard put me on to SCABoots some time ago. They are a retailer for Chinese manufacture, pig skin boots. Their prices are unbeatable, and service is fast. If you are not inclined to pay for a heavy duty, period exact pair of boots this is an excellent price point concious way to go. Several selections and they go up to size 14.
Gloves
Red rawhide gloves from Windlass. Windlass finished leather gloves are all too light weight for my purposes, but these rawhides are very good. Regularly $45, MRL has been discounting the reds to $19.
Clothes
Ask me for a discount one more time and I'm gona cut of your ears and nose...
www.twinrosesdesigns.com/index.html
I found their catalog while shopping. They're local to me. I just fell in love with what they have on site. ( I want an Edwardian Coat/Cloak; but I have no use for it. Like I need 108 swords, duh :roll: )
Light weight, modern cotton processed fabrics with period character. Getting in and out of this stuff is like rigging a sailing ship :lol: . Looks great on camera.
Conclusion
Bad news. The whole project cost $1700. Good news. If I had purchased the rapier new it alone would have cost more.
Buying the Deltin was probably the only item I could have undercut.
Hope this was entertaining and useful.
Welcome to share vendors.
