RAPIER

The rapier was the first true civilian sidearm, and made its debut appearance as early as the Italian Renaissance around the end of the 15th century, although it was not until later in the 16th century that the term rapier was actually coined.

In its early years of development the rapier was little more than a broadsword with a thinner, longer blade and an extra guard or two for the hand. Much like the broadsword, the rapier was capable of either cutting or thrusting.

As the rapier evolved, however, the blade became substantially longer (sometimes ridiculously so), the guards for the hand became increasingly more elaborate, and the cut was almost totally abandoned in favor of the thrust. By the later half of the 16th century we begin to find the form of the rapier with which we are most familiar: a long elegant sword with sweeping guards that encircle the hand; a beautiful marriage of function and form.

By the early 17th century, schools of fence (especially those in France and Italy) were teaching use of the point over the edge almost exclusively and had begun to emphasize the skill of the individual (and his sword of course) as the only necessary means of defence. Over the next few decades the once elaborate, complex hilt made way for a simpler, lighter arrangement to facilitate faster blade play and the edge of the blade disappeared altogether, eventually leaving only a stiff, triangular blade with a needle sharp point. Voila! The smallsword!

"We will rent no weapon that we would not personally use ourselves."

Weapons by Type:

Axes
Broadswords
Cutlasses
Daggers
Firearms
Gladius/Roman - new
Hero Swords - new
Knives
Leather Goods - new
Maces/Hammers
Pole Arms
Prop Only Guns
Rapiers
Shields
Smallswords
Unusual/Exotic - new

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Basic Weapon Care

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Stage Combat Weapons/ Wear and Tear