Windlass Rapiers

The Musketeer Rapier, though the prime weapon of the French Musketeers, was a cumbersome firearm, both to load and fire. A good rapier was a necessary second weapon. Our Musketeer rapier is fashioned after those circa 1590. The basket hilt is ambidextrous and a very effective mix of both the cup-hilt and swept-hilt styles.

This swept hilt rapier was quite popular in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. Our version is hand forged by the skilled artisans at Windlass Steelcrafts and has a blade of high carbon steel with a diamond cross section. This gives the blade firmness, yet allowing it to be flexible in action.

This Christus Imperat 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. Its' forward plates are pierced and show lavish birds among foliage.

With its graceful, artistic lines, the Three Ringed Rapier has always been a romantic symbol of the Renaissance. The reality is that the rapier is a very deadly hand-to-hand combat weapon, perfectly suited for the swift moves of the duelists of the day. Many hilt forms were tried early on like this three ringed swept hilt.