A German Swept-Hilt Rapier With Silver-Encrusted Decoration Circa 1600 With tapering double-edged blade of flattened hexagonal section becoming rounded towards the point, central fuller on each side of the forte incised respectively '·SPERA VINON·' and '·INTE DOMINE·', slightly hollowed rectangular ricasso struck with Solingen bladesmith's marks including a man-in-the-moon mark, hilt of rounded bars comprising straight quillons widening towards the tips, arms, three outer rings, the upper one with a bar rising up to join the knuckle-guard with beaked terminal, inner trifurcated bar swept-up to join the knuckle-guard, segmented globular pommel with separate tang button, and grip bound with two types of iron wire between brass Turks' heads, the surfaces of the hilt almost entirely encrusted in silver scrolling foliage and pellets (some losses) 102.7 cm. blade Footnotes: The bladesmith's marks appear to be those of Peter Beugal and Clemens Stam. See Albert Weyersberg, Solingen Schwertschmiede Des 16. Und 17. Jahrhunderts Und Ihre Erzeugnisse..., 1926, pp. 12, 13, 44 and 77, figs. 107 and 119. See also Sir James Mann, Wallace Collection Catalogues, European Arms and Armour, Vol. II, 1962, pp. 279 and 689, A545 for the man-in-the-moon mark This lot is subject to the following lot symbols: * * VAT on imported items at a preferential rate of 5% on Hammer Price and the prevailing rate on Buyer's Premium. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com For further information about this lot please visit the lot listing