16th - 17th Century German SAXON Rapier

"Saxony" is a recreation of a beautiful 16th century German rapier, inspired by the fine collection of German Renaissance Rapier in the New York Metropolitan Museum of Arts and other European museum collections.

This is another exacting recreation that LK Chen has taken on, with with valuable input from experts in the details of its decoration and construction methods such as the braiding of the elaborate "Turkish head" wire knots in the hilt. 

Specification

Approximations only, all measurements subject to slight variation for each swords

Minor adjustment can be made for the first production run

Total length: 117.6 cm (46.29")

Blade length from cross bar: 102 cm (40")

Hilt length (handle & pommel: 15 cm (5.9")

Handle length: 10 cm (3.9")

Cross-guide width: 13.5 cm (5.3")

Total Weight: 1255 grams (2 lb. 12.3 oz)

Point of Balance (from tip of hilt basket): 7 cm (2.75")

Point of Balance (from cross bar ): 12 cm (4.7")

Blade width:

At hand guard: 35 m

At 5 mm from tip: 17 mm 

Blade thickness:

At hand guard: 7 mm

Near tip: 2.1 mm

Blade Profile

Diamond Shape with Hollow Ground

Steel  GB 60Si2MnA   

High Carbon Manganese Spring Steel (Compare to AISI/SAE 5160 spring steel)   Element %       60Si2MnA    AISI/SAE 5160   

Carbon            0.56-0.64      0.56-0.61  

Silicon              1.60-2.00       0.15-0.35  

Manganese     0.60-0.90      0.75-1.00  

Phosphorus     <=0.030        <=0.035  

Sulfur               <=0.030        <=0.040  

Chromium       <=0.35          0.70-0.90  

Nickel               <=0.35          <=0.25    

Hardness 52-54 HRC.   

Medium to Low firing and through quenching for hardness   

Fittings  

Hand guard and pommel:  Steel  

Handle wrap: Steel wire wrapped with "Turkish head" wire knots decorated on both end of the handle.

Scabbard :  Black fine top grain leather over wood core

Scabbard chape:  Steel