Rapiers

The rapier expert of the UK! Musketeer swords, epees and more for fencing, reenactment & decoration. Cold Steel, Hanwei

27 products

Buy a rapier for fencing, reenactment & collectors

In our webshop you can shop a huge selection of rapiers from the best brands: Cold Steel, Hanwei, Deepeeka, Windlass, Haller & more. All rapiers are fully functional and made of real steel. In the product descriptions you can find more information about the origin of the rapiers, the steel quality, the edge and whether a scabbard is included. We have blunt high quality rapiers for HEMA, sword fighting, reenactment and fencing. We also offer beautifully decorated and (razor-sharp) rapiers to decorate your walls with.

 

The history of the rapier 

The rapier is a type of sword that was popular in the 16th and 17th century. It has clearly evolved from swords in the centuries before it: the blade of the rapier is longer and pointier than previous sword types. It also has a basket to protect the hand and finger rings for an improved use of the sword. The development of swords is often a reaction to the type of body armour that people wore.

 

The rapier as a duelling sword and musketeer sword

In the Middle Ages, swords were very expensive and therefore only used by the high elite and nobility. The rapier was not only the sword of the nobility, but also the weapon of the bourgeoisie. The bourgeoisie was a social class that flourished due to the greater prosperity in Europe since the Renaissance. The rapier was not just a weapon of war anymore. People fought duels with the rapier as a form of entertainment and it was a fashion accessory during ceremonies, parades and walks through the city. The rapier was also the sword used most by the musketeers.