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Articles

Vol. 13 No. 1 (2025): Rapier (ed. by S. Donders and M. Miskolczi)

Rapier hilts archetypes

Submitted
September 26, 2024
Published
2026-03-31

Abstract

A.V.B. Norman’s typology of hilts currently serves as the standard for the classification of rapiers. However, its flat structure and minutious granularity make it inconvenient for memorization and discussion. This work proposes a restructuration of Norman’s extensive typology into fewer archetypes that renders it less cumbersome to use and follows the functional developments of complex hilts.

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