A German Ambras type rapier, circa 1580Sturdy, tapering blade of flattened diamond section. A small smith's mark stamped on one side of the sturdy ricasso (the letter T below a ring). Typical iron swept hilt with S-shaped curved knuckle bow. The grip spirally fluted with iron wire winding (one flaw) and Turk's heads. The fishtail pommel perforated on one side. The surfaces cleaned, traces of pitting in places. Length 111 cm.A collection of rapiers of identical shape stamped with the same blade-mark can still be found in the armoury of Ambras Castle near Innsbruck. It is believed that they were commissioned around 1580 for the armament of the castle guards of Archduke Ferdinand II. Condition: II -