Rapiers, the physical epitome of the saying "stick 'em with the pointy end". Hard to do much else with one, really.

Culturally a symbol of status and the upper-class, rapiers are most well known for their use in gentlemanly duels over honour, love or some other such frippery. A deliverer of swift thrusts and whipping cuts, a rapier excels against opponents with little protection, subsequently becoming the main weapon of civilians and nobility, but as it lacks the substance to pierce most armours, it saw almost no action in pitched battles, even as a side arm. Most other styles of swords would fare better in almost every case.

But the rapier saw use as a symbol of wealth and power, and also as a useful form of protection whilst traveling. It wouldn't lop people's arms off, but in the right hands it would slice and poke holes faster than most other weapons of the time.

This rapier features a "swept hilt", a popular style of rapier hilt from Italy. The swirls and bars make a sort of basket, great for protecting the hand against an opponent's blade during a clash.

Dimensions

Blade length: 920mm
Blade width: 17mm
Blade thickness: 4mm
Overall length: 1100mm
Scabbard length: 1000mm
Basket length: 210mm
Basket width: 210mm
Basket depth: 70mm

Weight 1.15kg
Combat Rating: 5 out of 10