An early 17th Century transitional rapier

An early 17th Century transitional rapier, flattened hexagonal-section blade 35.5 in. and tapering to a diamond-section toward the point, twin fullers at the forte with decorative piercing and struck with 'IUAN MARTINEZ EN TOLEDO' to one side and the devotional legend 'IN TE DOMINE SPERAVI NON' to the other, blade also struck to either side with the crescent moon mark of Juan Martinez the elder; chiselled steel hilt heavily embellished with plumes and scrolls of foliage, lower guard with short side bar and heart shaped inner ring, quillon block with side ring and short up-swept quillons, urn-shaped pommel, wire bound grip with 'turk's heads'.

Juan Martinez the elder, active in Toledo 1590-1610. The Latin phrase, which translates as 'In thee Lord do I take refuge', is taken from Psalm 71, and is seen on other blades signed or attributed to this maker.