A beautiful north Italian rapier, dated c. 1600, of 118cm in total length, recently sold by Czerny's auction house for €2,000. 

Straight double-edged blade, the first part grooved at the center and featuring the signature "DE TOMAS DE AIALA". Long ricasso with crown-shaped mark. Typical hilt with lower ring-guard, hilt with "S"-shaped quillons, three-base guard and back guard. Oval pommel. Wooden handle carved with coils and with copper wire binding featuring moor's heads.