The Philadelphia Museum of Art is a fabulous museum which has a little something for everyone. For example, if you do not really care about “high art,” or “groundbreaking architecture” or “those ugly renaissance babies”, but you do really like weapons, I have good news for you: there is a whole wing in the PMA dedicated to weaponry, including this beauty pictured to the right. The sword in the photo to the right is actually a rapier, a special kind of long, slender sword that lends itself to thrusting attacks (rather than the less graceful hacking and slashing). Despite the rapier being uniformly bigger than your average sword, there is a lot of debate in the rapier fandom about the “proper” length of a rapier. One historical expert, Thibault, recommends that the cross of the sword be level with the navel when standing naturally with the point resting on the ground. The hilt, as you may notice, is fancy and large. This is to protect the wielder’s hand when fighting. A heavy handle adds another opportunity for embellishment, as well as a practical counterweight to the longer blade. The decorative elements also denote the power, wealth and influence of wielder, as well as the skill of the maker. 

This particular rapier was made by bladesmith Peter Munsten the Elder, who was active in Solingen, Germany from 1591-1627. Experts date this blade to c.1585-1600. You can go see it (and others just as cool or cooler) in person at Gallery 249 on the second floor of the museum.