King Gustav II Adolf (1594-1632) was monarch of Sweden from 1611-1632. In 1630 as a defensive manoeuvre, King Gustav II entered the Thirty Years’ War to secure the Swedish state and church from danger. An excellent military tactician, Gustav led an army of unusual quality, and his position was strengthened by alliances with France, Brandenburg, and Saxony. At Lützen in 1632, the Swedes defeated Albrecht W.E. von Wallenstein's army, but King Gustav was fatally wounded in battle. The Gustav Rapier (SH-2206) and main gauche (SH-2209) are reproductions of his originals and are truly fit for a king. The guard of the rapier is quit impressive in design and has two shells to protect the hand. The rapier and main gauche come equipped with forged high-carbon spring steel blades and leather scabbards. This rapier and the matching main gauche blade produced are now interchangeable with the “Practical” blades (SH-2255, SH-2256), which are designed for safety in rapier sparring. Also available is the Gustav Rapier in an antiqued version (SH-2206N) and matching antiqued main gauche (SH-2209N).

King Gustav II Adolf (1594-1632) was monarch of Sweden from 1611-1632. In 1630 as a defensive manoeuvre, King Gustav II entered the Thirty Years’ War to secure the Swedish state and church from danger. An excellent military tactician, Gustav led an army of unusual quality, and his position was strengthened by alliances with France, Brandenburg, and Saxony. At Lützen in 1632, the Swedes defeated Albrecht W.E. von Wallenstein's army, but King Gustav was fatally wounded in battle. The Gustav Rapier (SH-2206) and main gauche (SH-2209) are reproductions of his originals and are truly fit for a king. The guard of the rapier is quit impressive in design and has two shells to protect the hand. The rapier and main gauche come equipped with forged high-carbon spring steel blades and leather scabbards. This rapier and the matching main gauche blade produced are now interchangeable with the “Practical” blades (SH-2255, SH-2256), which are designed for safety in rapier sparring. Also available is the Gustav Rapier in an antiqued version (SH-2206N) and matching antiqued main gauche (SH-2209N).

Based on models of 17th century swept-hilt rapiers of Germanic ancestry, our Solingen Rapier (SH-2205) with matching main gauche (SH-2208) is an excellent rendition of the timely originals. The blades are constructed of forged high-carbon steel and are equipped with leather scabbards. The guard has a beautiful design with S-curved quillons to protect the hand and for wrapping the fingers around to increase one’s grip strength. This rapier and the matching main gauche blade produced are now interchangeable with the “Practical” blades (SH-2255, SH-2256), which are designed for safety in rapier sparring. Also available are antiqued are versions of the Solingen Rapier (SH-2205N) with matching main gauche (SH-2208N).

Based on models of 17th century swept-hilt rapiers of Germanic ancestry, our Solingen Rapier (SH-2205) with matching main gauche (SH-2208) is an excellent rendition of the timely originals. The blades are constructed of forged high-carbon steel and are equipped with leather scabbards. The guard has a beautiful design with S-curved quillons to protect the hand and for wrapping the fingers around to increase one’s grip strength. This rapier and the matching main gauche blade produced are now interchangeable with the “Practical” blades (SH-2255, SH-2256), which are designed for safety in rapier sparring. Also available are antiqued are versions of the Solingen Rapier (SH-2205N) with matching main gauche (SH-2208N).

Based on models of 17 th century swept-hilt rapiers of Italian ancestry and combining the better features of several pieces, our Torino Rapier (SH2204) with matching main gauche (SH2207) is sure to become the standard by which all others are measured. The blades are made of forged high-carbon steel and are equipped with black leather scabbards. The guard has an ornate design with straight quillons to protect the hand and for wrapping the fingers around to increase functionality and one’s grip strength. This rapier and the matching main gauche blades from Barringtons Swords are now interchangeable with the “Practical” blades (SH-2255, SH-2256), which are designed for safety in rapier sparring. Also available are antiqued versions of the Torino Rapier (SH2204N) with matching main gauche

Based on models of 17 th century swept-hilt rapiers of Italian ancestry and combining the better features of several pieces, our Torino Rapier (SH2204) with matching main gauche (SH2207) is sure to become the standard by which all others are measured. The blades are made of forged high-carbon steel and are equipped with black leather scabbards. The guard has an ornate design with straight quillons to protect the hand and for wrapping the fingers around to increase functionality and one’s grip strength. This rapier and the matching main gauche blades from Barringtons Swords are now interchangeable with the “Practical” blades (SH-2255, SH-2256), which are designed for safety in rapier sparring. Also available are antiqued versions of the Torino Rapier (SH-2204N) with matching main gauche

Based on models of 17 th century swept-hilt rapiers of Italian ancestry and combining the better features of several pieces, our Torino Rapier (SH-2204) with matching main gauche (SH2207) is sure to become the standard by which all others are measured. The blades are made of forged high-carbon steel and are equipped with black leather scabbards. The guard has an ornate design with straight quillons to protect the hand and for wrapping the fingers around to increase functionality and one’s grip strength. This rapier and the matching main gauche blades from Barringtons Swords are now interchangeable with the “Practical” blades (SH-2255, SH-2256), which are designed for safety in rapier sparring. Also available are antiqued versions of the Torino Rapier (SH-2204N) with matching main gauche.

The Side Sword (SH-2203) was a military sword of the 16th & 17th century Renaissance period that also achieved popularity among civilians, due to its relatively light weight & quickness. It also had an advantage over its contemporary, the rapier, in having the ability to cut efficiently as well as thrust. Side swords were often the weapon of choice for sword & buckler fighting. Our Side Sword (SH-2203), based on a German original, is a beautifully proportioned piece that balances very well. The "swept-hilt" affords excellent hand protection and the blade geometry makes for an outstanding performance in both the cut and the thrust. The blade is constructed of high-carbon steel and the wire-wrapped handle is beautifully ornate.

Matching the SH-2035 "Taza" Cup-Hilt Rapier, the SH-2137 "Taza" Main Gauche is a beautifully decorated piece in the style of Spanish rapiers of the mid-17th century. The distinctive triangular knuckle guard and the pommel are pierced in foliate decoration while the high-carbon steel blade is exquisitely chiselled in the style of the period. Long extolled as the pinnacle of rapier design, the “Spanish” or “Cup-Hilt” rapier undoubtedly combined style and function very effectively in 17th century Europe . The very best of these weapons featured beautifully pierced cups and pommels has replicated these to perfection and combined them with an elegantly tapered high-carbon steel blade in our “Taza” rapier (the name comes from the French, who called this style “a la Taza”). A leather-covered scabbard is included.

Matching the SH-2035 "Taza" Cup-Hilt Rapier, the SH-2137 "Taza" Main Gauche is a beautifully decorated piece in the style of Spanish rapiers of the mid-17th century. The distinctive triangular knuckle guard and the pommel are pierced in foliate decoration while the high-carbon steel blade is exquisitely chiselled in the style of the period. Long extolled as the pinnacle of rapier design, the “Spanish” or “Cup-Hilt” rapier undoubtedly combined style and function very effectively in 17th century Europe . The very best of these weapons featured beautifully pierced cups and pommels has replicated these to perfection and combined them with an elegantly tapered high-carbon steel blade in our “Taza” rapier (the name comes from the French, who called this style “a la Taza”). A leather-covered scabbard is included.

The Main Gauche, or left hand dagger, was often used with the rapier, providing an added dimension in both offence and defence, and the “Schools of Fence” which proliferated in Europe during this period taught the use of the two weapons in combination. The Main Gauche would often match the Rapier in styling, while incorporating features, which maximized the effectiveness of the piece.

The Stiletto (SH-1221) replicates a late 17th century piece from a private collection. Designed exclusively as a thrusting weapon, the stiletto was widespread in the period when upper-class civilian dress often-incorporated mail or leather body armour. The triangular section 9-1/2” blade is complemented by a hand carved & polished buffalo horn grip, with the pommel and guard finials in the form of spirally carved pine cones. A silver-mounted leather-covered sheath is provided.

These 17th century Renaissance Ring Daggers, believed to be of Italian origin, are available in either a classic steel (SH-1216) or gilded (SH-1217) finish. This style of dagger, which doubled as a main gauche in rapiers duels, was often exquisitely decorated, as in the case of these pieces. A chiselled pommel and guard compliment the wire-wrapped grip with its turk’s-head knots. The 10 ¼” blade is beautifully pierced and fullered in the same pattern as the original. A black leather scabbard, with decorated fittings to match the dagger, is included.

The Scissors Dagger (SH-1050) appears in response to many customer requests from seamstress re-enactors for an early style of scissors. Our search led us to this wonderful piece, which not only performs very well as a pair of scissors but also doubles as a 6” blade dagger for malady’s personal protection. The original, now in a private collection, is believed to be Middle Eastern in origin. With its distinctive leather sheath and easy attachment this makes an excellent (and very useful!) bodice dagger.

Swept Hilt 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. This model features a well-balanced high-carbon steel blade with a solid steel basket (not plated) and a hardwood grip. The rigid scabbard is leather-covered. The SH-2117 is the matching main gauche for this piece.

Based on models of 17 th century swept-hilt rapiers of Italian ancestry and combining the better features of several pieces, our Torino Rapier (SH2204) with matching main gauche (SH-2207) is sure to become the standard by which all others are measured. The blades are made of forged high-carbon steel and are equipped with black leather scabbards. The guard has an ornate design with straight quillons to protect the hand and for wrapping the fingers around to increase functionality and one’s grip strength. This rapier and the matching main gauche blades from Barringtons Swords are now interchangeable with the “Practical” blades (SH-2255, SH-2256), which are designed for safety in rapier sparring. Also available are antiqued versions of the Torino Rapier (SH-2204N) with matching main gauche.

The Rapier Belt (OK-H60 new stock code) is a no-frills belt that works extremely well. It is adjustable for waist size and rapier length.

The 6-loop Belt Frog allows the OL-301 scabbard to be hung from a standard waist belt.

The Rapier Scabbard is for use with the SH-1032 and SH-1032B Fencing Rapiers. It may also be used with the 6-loop Belt Frog (OL302) shown (not included, which allows the scabbard to be hung from a standard waist belt.

The uniquely Antiqued finish rapier and main gauche of King Gustav II Adolf (1594-1632) was monarch of Sweden from 1611-1632. In 1630 as a defensive manoeuvre, King Gustav II entered the Thirty Years’ War to secure the Swedish state and church from danger. An excellent military tactician, Gustav led an army of unusual quality, and his position was strengthened by alliances with France , Brandenburg , and Saxony . At Lützen in 1632, the Swedes defeated Albrecht W.E. von Wallenstein's army, but King Gustav was fatally wounded in battle. The Gustav Rapier (SH-2206N) and main gauche (SH-2209N) are reproductions in the new ‘antiqued finish’ of his originals and are truly fit for a king. The guard of the rapier is quit impressive in design and has two shells to protect the hand. The rapier and main gauche come equipped with forged high-carbon spring steel blades and leather scabbards. This rapier and the matching main gauche blade produced are now interchangeable with the “Practical” blades (SH-2255, SH-2256), which are designed for safety in rapier sparring.

Based on models of 17th century swept-hilt rapiers of Germanic ancestry, our Solingen Rapier (SH-2205N) with matching main gauche (SH-2208N) is an excellent rendition of the timely originals. The blades are constructed of forged high-carbon steel and are equipped with leather scabbards. The guard has a beautiful design with S-curved quillons to protect the hand and for wrapping the fingers around to increase one’s grip strength. This rapier and the matching main gauche blade produced are now interchangeable with the “Practical” blades (SH2255, SH2256), which are designed for safety in rapier sparring. These are the ‘antiqued versions’.

These 17th century Renaissance Ring Daggers, believed to be of Italian origin, are available in either a classic steel (SH-1216) or gilded (SH-1217) finish. This style of dagger, which doubled as a main gauche in rapiers duels, was often exquisitely decorated, as in the case of these pieces. A chiselled pommel and guard compliment the wire-wrapped grip with its turk’s-head knots. The 10 ¼” blade is beautifully pierced and fullered in the same pattern as the original. A black leather scabbard, with decorated fittings to match the dagger, is included.