rapier

A rapier () is a type of sword originally used in Spain (known as '', ) and Italy (known as spada da lato a striscia''). The name designates a sword with a straight, slender and sharply pointed two-edged long blade wielded in one hand. Known for its elegant design and intricate hilt, it was widely popular in Western Europe throughout the 16th and 17th centuries as a symbol of nobility or gentleman status.

Key facts

Weapon.name: Rapier/Espada ropera
Weapon.image: Rapiere-Morges-kitsch.jpg
Weapon.image_size: 200
Weapon.caption: Espada ropera, first half of the 17th century
Weapon.origin: Spain (espada ropera) and Italy (spada da lato-striscia)
Weapon.type: Sword
Weapon.is_bladed: yes
Weapon.design_date: Around
Weapon.weight: Avg.
Weapon.part_length: Avg.
Weapon.width: Avg. to sharp point
Weapon.blade_type: Single- or double-edged, straight blade
Weapon.hilt_type: Complex, protective hilt

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Wikidata facts

Image: Rapiere-Morges-kitsch.jpg

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Commons category: Rapiers

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Article

20 sections

Contents

Terminology
Description
Parts of the sword
Hilt
Blade
Overall length
Off-hand weapons
History
Historical schools of rapier fencing
Italy
Spain
The Netherlands
France
England
Germany
The classical fencing tradition
See also
References
Further reading
External links

As fencing spread throughout Western Europe, important sources for rapier fencing arose in Spain, known under the term ("dexterity"), in Italy and France. The French small sword or court sword of the 18th century was a direct continuation of this tradition of fencing.