A Rare Italian Multi-Ring Rapier, #2964 Edged Weapons

A Fantastic Italian 'Multi-Ring' (4) Ring Hilt Rapier, circa. late 16th - early 17th Century. 41" double-edge blade w/(2) fullers each side engraved; 'HONES T V M + EST + PRO', 'PATRI A + MORIS'. Symmetrical steel hilt of faceted bars comprising a pair of vertically re-curved quillons, slender 'e'cusson, inner-outer-guards of (4) rings; fitted with a figure-of-eight shaped cupped, pierced, fluted and engraved plate; re-curved knuckle-guard joined to the inner-and outer-guards by a scrolling bar; fluted barrel-shaped pommel; original twisted wire grip w/'TURK'S HEADS'. A truly amazing rapier of great size and balance. 46.25" overall.

Note; retains old circular brass Museum inventory tag, #B14

ARQQQQA13/14