Renaissance Swords

A weapon unequalled in elegance and grace: the classic French rapier. The slender, double-edged blade determines the character of this classic rapier, whose ricasso elegantly becomes narrower inside the basket. But the complex basket with its sweeping finger guard is not the only special feature this classic rapier has to offer: the grip is bordered by braided steel wire on both sides.

The grip itself is made of horn wrapped with golden wire for a stunning effect. When used with a French parrying dagger, this classic rapier forms part of a deadly set that was especially appreciated by duellists. Our classic French rapier comes with its own scabbard.

Total length: 116 cm
Blade length: 99 cm
Grip length: 8 cm
Weight: 1.14 kg
Blade thickness (base, outside basket): 4.7 mm
Blade thickness (CoP): 3.1 mm
Blade width (base, outside basket): 2 cm
Blade width (CoP): 1.4 cm
Point of Balance (PoB): 6 cm
Centre of Percussion (CoP): 20 cm
Blade: High Carbon Steel
Edge: Blunt
Pommel: Peened
Scabbard: Leather, Wood, Steel

All sizes are approximate and may vary slightly from piece to piece.

This stunning rapier has an expertly crafted swept & twisted metal basket. The heavily carved horn grip mimics the elegantly twisted metal of the hilt and is hand wound and inset with a single steel accent wire that provides an excellent grip while duelling. Better yet was the aristocratic, dashing look it gave the wearer while rakishly hanging from the belt. Hand forged high carbon steel blade with flattened oval cross section. Extended, custom engraved ricasso for strength.

Includes leather scabbard with twisted metal accents completing this magnificent and fast rapier.

Overall Length: 112cm
Blade Length: 95cm
Blade Width: 2cm
Blade Thickness: 0.5cm
Weight: 1247g
Grip Length: 9cm
Material: 1065 High Carbon Steel
Edge: Blunt
Scabbard: Leather

All dimensions are approximate and may vary from piece to piece.

Our Munich Town Watch Rapier has a relatively wide blade, which makes it ideal for both functions. It is a replica of a rapier type found in many museums today: in the Munich Armory, the Bavarian Army Museum in Ingolstadt, Germany or catalogue number A612 in the Wallace Collection, for example.

Made around 1600, this rapier has a strong, tapering blade hand forged from carbon steel with a narrow ricasso inside the finger ring. Its elegant complex basket has side guard rings and a knuckle bow. The hardwood grip is elaborately wrapped with iron wire with braided wire at the ends. A riveted pommel shaped like a flattened ball completes the hilt.

This Munich Town Watch Rapier includes a black leather scabbard with a mount and chape.

Total length: 100.5 cm
Blade length: 83.5 cm
Grip length: 8.5 cm
Weight: 1.56 kg
Blade thickness (base): 3.7 mm
Blade thickness (CoP): 3.7 mm
Blade width (base): 4.2 cm
Blade width (CoP): 2.7 cm
Point of Balance (PoB): 6 cm
Centre of Percussion (CoP): 31.5 cm
Blade: High Carbon Steel
Edge: Blunt
Pommel: Peened
Scabbard: Leather, Wood, Steel

All sizes are approximate and may vary slightly from piece to piece.

A rapier of this identical form and proportions is currently housed in The Royal Armouries (formerly the Tower of London).

The flamboyantly formed hilt is both beautiful and functional. It’s forward plates are pierced and show lavish birds among foliage, while the bars of the guard are slender both defending the hand and having an upward loop to catch an opponent’s blade. The heavy pommel allows for a more balanced feel for fighting. The blade is etched on both sides of the ricasso with the Latin phrase CHRISTUS IMPERAT which means “Christ Commands.”

Overall Length: 119cm
Blade Length: 103cm
Blade Width: 2.5cm
Blade Thickness: 0.48cm
Weight: 1361g
Grip Length: 8.9cm
Blade: 1065 High Carbon Steel
Edge: Blunt
Pommel: Threaded
Scabbard: Leather, Wood, Steel

All sizes are approximate and may vary slightly from piece to piece.

The Schlaeger Rapiers by Paul Chen utilize a popular swept hilt, modified to accommodate our schlaeger blades in 37” (SH1099) and 43” (SH1098) lengths. These tapered blades provide a superior balance compared to the traditional parallel-sided schlaegers, making for a faster sword. Fencing in the Renaissance style plays an important part in the historical re-enactment combining the quickness of light blades with the stucture and spirit of the day.

Our Renaissance-style Rapiers trace their origins to early 17th century Europe, where swordplay with the Rapier was considered an essential part of a gentleman’s education and was often used in resolving gentlemanly disagreements. Blades generally originated in one of the blade making centers such as Toledo or Solingen, but many differences in styling and hilt materials resulted from the local manufacture of hilts all over Europe.

Total length: 110.5cm
Blade length: 94cm
Grip length: 10.5cm
Weight: 1080g
Blade width (base): 2.5cm
Point of Balance (PoB): 2.5 cm
Blade: 1566 High Carbon Steel
Edge: Blunt
Pommel: Threaded
Scabbard: None

All dimensions are approximate and may vary from piece to piece.

The Schlaeger Rapiers utilize a popular swept hilt, modified to accommodate Hanwei's schlaeger blades in 37" (SH1099) and 43" (SH1098) lengths. These tapered blades provide a superior balance compared to the traditional parallel-sided schlaegers, making for a faster sword.

Paul Chen's Renaissance-style Rapiers trace their origins to early 17th century Europe, where swordplay with the Rapier was considered an essential part of a gentleman’s education and was often used in resolving gentlemanly disagreements. Blades generally originated in one of the blade making centers such as Toledo or Solingen, but many differences in styling and hilt materials resulted from the local manufacture of hilts all over Europe.

Total length: 125cm
Blade length: 109cm
Grip length: 10cm
Weight: 1.1kg
Blade width (base): 2.5cm
Point of Balance (PoB): 5.7 cm
Blade: 1566 High Carbon Steel
Edge: Blunt
Pommel: Threaded
Scabbard: None

All dimensions are approximate and may vary from piece to piece.

This Swept-Hilt Rapier features classical lines, with a high-carbon steel flex-tempered blade, a stainless steel hilt (for reduced maintenance) and a hardwood grip. The hilt is of the same size as the museum piece on which it is based, providing an authentic “feel” in the user’s hand and weight and balance also match originals. The blade is interchangeable with our “Practical” blade (OH2255) which is designed for safety in rapier sparring. The matching Main Gauche (SH2198) may also be equipped with a sparring blade. 

Our Renaissance-style Rapiers trace their origins to early 17th century Europe, where swordplay with the Rapier was considered an essential part of a gentleman’s education and was often used in resolving gentlemanly disagreements. Blades generally originated in one of the blade making centers such as Toledo or Solingen, but many differences in styling and hilt materials resulted from the local manufacture of hilts all over Europe. 

Total length: 113.7cm
Blade length: 93.1cm
Grip length: 8.6cm
Weight: 0.94kg
Blade thickness (base): 0.61cm
Point of Balance (PoB): 7.6cm
Centre of Percussion (CoP): 76.8cm
Blade: High Carbon Steel
Edge: Slightly Sharp
Pommel: Peened
Scabbard: Leather, Wood, Steel

All dimensions are approximate and may vary from piece to piece.

Oliver Cromwell (1599 – 1658) was a powerful figure in English history during and after the English Civil War, when he rose from the rank of Captain of Horse to Lord Protector of England. His sword, said to have been carried at the battle of Drogheda in 1649, has been remarkably well preserved and is displayed in the permanent collection of the Royal Armouries in Leeds, England.

The Paul Chen Cromwell Sword is an accurate replica of the original “mortuary” hilt style and features a blackened guard decorated in a gold foliage pattern with a wire-wound sharkskin grip. As the original sword now lacks a scabbard , we have provided a design typical of the period. This piece of English history is a must for the ECW collector and re-enactor.

Total length: 110.5cm
Blade length: 83.2cm
Grip length: 9.8cm
Weight: 1.47kg
Blade thickness (base): 0.5cm
Blade thickness (CoP): 0.36cm
Blade width (base): 3.4cm
Point of Balance (PoB): 8.9cm
Centre of Percussion (CoP): 53.3cm
Blade: High Carbon Steel
Edge: Sharp
Pommel: Threaded
Scabbard: Leather, Wood, Steel

All dimensions are approximate and may vary from piece to piece.

The Practical Mortuary Hilt Sword is built for the reenactor. The basket is identical to that of the Hanwei SH2004 (no longer available) but the blade is unsharpened, with 1/16” edged and a rounded tip, complying with the combat rules of many re-enactment societies.

The blade is crafted in 1065 high-carbon steel, hardened to 50HRC, which reduces edge-notching to acceptable levels while providing resilience and protection against brittleness.

Total length: 94cm
Blade length: 77cm
Weight: 907g
Blade thickness (base): 0.56cm
Blade width (base): 2.7cm
Centre of Percussion (CoP): 24cm
Blade: 1065 High Carbon Steel
Edge: Blunt
Pommel: Nut
Scabbard: Leather, Wood, Steel

All dimensions are approximate and may vary from piece to piece.