English Royalist Rapier Circa 1640

English Royalist Rapier, circa 1640 original condition, This type of sword was carried by both sides during the English Civil War however this example has characteristic figures of Charles 1st to all the parts of the hilt and cup guard to one side and of his wife Henrietta to the reverse. With tapering single edged blade, iron hilt comprising shallow cup-guard chiselled and pieced linked to the knuckle guard with down curved bar, the knuckle-guard screwed to the pommel, one straight quillon, one down-turned with animal head terminal, globular pommel engraved with foliage and characteristic figures, with button terminal. The original spirally twist grip is missing wood remaining between the original Turks heads. Overall length 108cm the blade 88cm