Ethnographic Arms & Armour - View Single Post - Transitional Rapier/Smallsword with massive Hilt

Jim McDougall · 2nd February 2013, 03:30 PM

Very nice colichemarde, which although not exactly a transitional rapier, did descend from them. The key characteristic of the colichemarde blade is the pronounced forte, which was designed to parry heavier blades. These were indeed fighting swords which were often worn in court atmospheres and intended for duelling, but it seems that officers often wore them as well.

It was long held that the term 'colichemarde' was a corruption from the name of one Graf von Konigsmark, however the form is known to have existed from the latter 17th century, prior to his time*. It would be interesting to learn more on the etymology of this term.

* see my next entry

I cannot make out the inscription on the blade, but the general hilt appearance and spirally gadrooned pommel I would think would place this one in the third quarter 18th century into early 19th. These dont really seem to come up much, so I would say a very worthy acquisition, and hope more will be forthcoming from others out there.

2nd February 2013, 03:30 PM	#2
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,753	Very nice colichemarde, which although not exactly a transitional rapier, did descend from them. The key characteristic of the colichemarde blade is the pronounced forte, which was designed to parry heavier blades. These were indeed fighting swords which were often worn in court atmospheres and intended for duelling, but it seems that officers often wore them as well. It was long held that the term 'colichemarde' was a corruption from the name of one Graf von Konigsmark, however the form is known to have existed from the latter 17th century, prior to his time. It would be interesting to learn more on the etymology of this term. see my next entry I cannot make out the inscription on the blade, but the general hilt appearance and spirally gadrooned pommel I would think would place this one in the third quarter 18th century into early 19th. These dont really seem to come up much, so I would say a very worthy acquisition, and hope more will be forthcoming from others out there. Last edited by Jim McDougall; 2nd February 2013 at 08:46 PM.