Value on spanish rapier replicas?

Kune

I traded some paintball stuff to someone for a couple old swords. He claimed they were worth over $400, but I find that very unlikely as they are clearly decorative replicas. As cool as they look on my wall, I was wondering if I could still get a few bucks for them. You probably can't see from the pictures, but "Made in Spain" is etched onto the blades near the hilt. They are about 40" long in total with a 32 1/2" blade.

judas1369

I got one of these when I was in Spain in the late 70s, the cost new was (converting from pesetas to euros) around €3.50.
These are the better quality ones as opposed to the gaudy gilt ones but all of them are wall hangers.
If you look at the construction around the hilt you will find it is spot welded and that the pommel probably is mounted with a screw thread, pretty good evidence that it is not a valued antique!
Most of this type were made in Toledo using local steel and quality varied wildly from sword to sword, so definitely for wall hanging only! Therefore I doubt very much that they are worth anything like you were told they were worth, so enjoy them for what they are.
Incidently, this is a website in Spain currently selling similar items , take a look at items 2 AND 3 in the picture and just below the cost of purchase which is €62.

http://www.aceros-de-hispania.com/swords-knives/barbarian-gladius-sword.asp

Hope this helps!

kerryphoto

Unfortunately replicas don't make much, I work in an auction room and we sold a replica broad sword today for €10.