French Rapier

[Katana]

I was in Baroda last weekend when I remembered my father-in-law having a French rapier. Thought I'd share it with everyone. This is a leftover from the pre Indian Mutiny/ 1st. War of Independence (depending in which way look at it) days when a lot of French mercenaries or fortune hunters were rife through the eastern belt of Gujarat, what is now the Panchmahal area.

Interestingly, the rapier is 3 sided, in the sense that the obverse is 2 sides in a 45 deg. angle while the reverse is plain. Seen in a cross section, it would be like a triangle. I suppose it may have been blued at an earlier date but now shows signs of rusting. The hilt is typical of French Royale design but I presume the plate to protect the hand may have been a later addition to counteract the heavier Indian sword designs. The rapier is missing a scabbard.

Forgive the photographs, they were taken in a hurry.

French Rapier 002 (Small).jpg

French Rapier 007 (Small).jpg

French Rapier 006 (Small).jpg

French Rapier 005 (Small).jpg

French Rapier 001 (Small).jpg

[hvj1]

Hi Katana
Very interesting history and a well known french blade. The guard design does'nt blend with the sword, which if I am not mistaken, would normally have a single slim band instead. (Again correct me if I a wrong). A thrust and parry sword the rapier.
Regards

[dr.jayakumar]

thanks for sharing.

[abhrankash]

good to a french riper in India!!!
i think french people have left many things in India one of the direct descendant of french ruler is staying in India also(Bhopal)Balthazar Napoleon De Bourbon.
when ever I look at the french riper I always think they have left their ruler and the sword.

[sa_ali]

Three sided, this I am seeing for the first time, not that i have seen to many .

Interesting, thanks for sharing it

[Subal das]

I like French champagne and cheese better

[Sakobav]

Nice one Katana any chance it will be gifted to you LOL

[goodboy_mentor]

A beautiful piece of history. I had seen a similar three sided rapier of Warren Hastings kept inside a glass box at Victoria Memorial in Kolkata. It was labeled as "Sword of Warren Hastings". The blade was totally black in color. He was Governor-General of India from 1773 to 1785. Probably above rapier also belongs to that period or maybe older, since it was used mainly in Europe in the 16th and 17th centuries. Later during Napoleonic era with use of light cavalry, swords optimized for use in the melee, that is curved sabres(like Indian tulwar types) became popular over rapiers. Moreover the slicing action of sabre was considered to have more "stopping power" in the melee as it immediately killed the enraged enemy, by simply cutting him into two, whereas the rapier wound would allow the enemy to do some retaliatory attack before finally collapsing.

[Katana]

Goodboy_mentor,

I've had a few copies of a British rapier made by one of my swordsmiths. They should be with me probably this week. Take a look when I post their snaps. this too is an exact replica of an example that has been displayed publicly.