Cultural Period: Spanish Colonial (late 1500s – 1846)

Description: Spanish wooden-handled cup hilt rapier inscribed with “Gio Knegt” on one side and “In Solingen” on the other. “Gio Knegt” is the mark of the maker, Johannes Knecht. “In Solingen” proclaims the sword was made in the German city of Solingen. More than one Knecht manufactured swords in Solingen, leaving the date range for the production of this sword A.D. 1670 – 1805. The style of the sword, however, suggests an earlier manufacture date, perhaps in the late 1600s – early 1700s.

Provenience: Unknown.

Collection: National Park Service, El Morro.