Sample Appraisal: Arms & Armor
Appraisal ID: 11355
Appraised On: Sep 04, 2006
Market Value: $ 600.00
Replacement Value: $ 800.00
APPRAISER COMMENTS:
This is a pair of swept-hilt rapiers, circa 17th century, in fair
condition. The term rapier was borrowed in the 16th century from the
French rapiere, where it was recorded in 1474 in the phrase epee
rapiere, which itself derived from the contemporary Spanish espada
ropera, “dress sword,” carried daily by gentlemen. As compared with the
arming sword, the rapier was a much lighter weapon with a straight
double-edged and pointed blade, which, with the development of the art
of fencing in the 16th and 17th centuries, finally became narrower and
lighter, and thus suitable for thrusts only. The rapier of the latter
half of the 16th century usually had a hilt with straight or recurved
quillions, side guards, arms of the hilt, and knuckle bows; additional
rings and bars in ever increasing numbers were used in various types of
hilts to improve the protection. But the sharp point of the opponent’s
blade often found a way through this sophisticated defense network, and
the only foolproof way of stopping it was the use of a metal plate. In
the early decades of the 17th century the shell guard started to
increase in size until this protection reached the form of the cup
guard.
Item/Title: swords or fencing swords
Date/Period of Manufacture: 1800’s ?
Condition: good
Manufacturer/Artist/Author: N/A
Dimensions (HxWxD): 38 inches including handle
Inscription: N/A
History/Provenance: My 86 year old mother got them from her father
DISCLAIMER
This online appraisal report is an appraisal expert’s opinion of
value based on market comparable research of the item description and
images supplied by our customer. No further guarantee of authenticity,
genuineness, attribution or authorship is represented.
Current Fair Market Value is the price agreed on between a willing
buyer and seller, neither being required to act, and both having
reasonable knowledge of the facts.
Replacement Value is the price in terms of money that would be
required to replace the property in question with another of similar
age, quality, origin, appearance, provenance and condition, within a
reasonable length of time in an appropriate market.