Smallswords, why the terms pillow and mourning swords?

Jim McDougall · 7th August 2010, 05:01 AM

Thanks guys, this is pretty interesting and Ive been doing some checking. Great example Dmitry, these seem to be kind of an untapped sector of collecting, at least to me....pretty esoteric.

Apparantly these are lighter, simple hilt swords that developed around the opening years of the 17th century that were in favor of the developing French school of fencing. The Italian and Spanish schools were much more conservative, and these were lighter, faster swords.
Because they were intended to be worn about town (as noted by Dmitry) they were essentially considered in a self defense type view, with the idea that as such they could easily be grasped from the bedside. There was apparantly a reference c.1655 to these type swords called 'walking swords', but the pillow thing seems to be an expression from about mid 18th century (Aylward, p.13).

Aylward also mentions on p.54 there was a strict convention for wearing of black in mid 18th century, with some cheaper blades and blackened steel hilts for expressing grief....it is noted that these were not necessarily just for mourning. It makes sense that a sword just for mourning would be a bit extravagant, unless there were really a lot of funerals!!

This is what I could find so far, and I really appreciate you guys input, and hope we can discover more. Excellent example there Dmitry!!!

All best regards,
Jim

Dmitry · 7th August 2010, 06:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

Aylward also mentions on p.54 there was a strict convention for wearing of black in mid 18th century, with some cheaper blades and blackened steel hilts for expressing grief....it is noted that these were not necessarily just for mourning. It makes sense that a sword just for mourning would be a bit extravagant, unless there were really a lot of funerals!!

As I see it, an 18th century gentleman of means[or debts] had several small-swords for different occasions, which, in today's parlance, might be equated to a closet rack of ties. Some of us have only one or two, some have 20+.

I, too, would be interested in seeing a 'bonified' mourning sword. Again, let's not forget that japanning was a preferred method of protecting steel from rusting, often applied to military swords and long-arms.

This, according to the Mount Vernon Museum, was George Washington's mourning sword. It does have a black grip [very uncommon to see a bone or ebony grips on small-swords, aside from some French martial examples], but the rest of the hilt is actually pretty festive, and reminiscent of the French model 1767 officer's swords.
http://emuseum.mountvernon.org/code/...rrentrecord=86

M ELEY · 7th August 2010, 09:02 AM

I've noticed in some of the old artworks of sea captains that blackened steel 'japanned' smallswords were popular. At first, I wrote this off as perhaps nothing more than a "prop" given to the subject being painted for artistic purposes, but Annis comments that smallswords were indeed popular among the maritime folks. I was wondering aloud if the blackened steel was more rust-resistant, as other naval swords that were painted or tarred black. Here's a sea captain (with an interesting history) whose pic is in the National Maritime Museum. Note the blackened hilt. Click on his pic for a bigger view.

http://www.nmm.ac.uk/collections/exp...cfm?ID=BHC2928

Jim McDougall · 7th August 2010, 09:28 AM

Good points about the 'japanning' method of protection on hilts. Actually the use of brass on naval hilts was of course suggested as being favored for its rust resistance, but then the steel guards of the cutlasses would seem to have had to be japanned black.

It is known that the Scots actually either russeted (brown) their basket hilts or japanned them, so that the images of glistening basket hilts seems a bit unlikely. The damp Scottish weather was certainly a challenge for steel.

I would imagine that sea service hilts as Mark notes may well have been blackened, as these were of course more exposed to the elements. While military swords may often have been russeted or blackened, the civilian swords such as the regular smallswords or these 'walking or town swords' thier predecessors, may not have typically been so modified. It would seem the exception would have been the mourning swords discussed, and for these somber purposes.
It would be hard to be sure though, as there were certain styles, especially oriental which came into fashion in the 'shakudo' type hilts of 18th century smallswords with black overall and dramatic gold or ornate motif. While these were 'dark' in appearance they were of course not somber, but the attraction for the darker effect can be seen.

All the best,
Jim

Dmitry · 10th August 2010, 01:47 PM

This is what a japanned small-sword hilt looks like. It's a French sergeants hanger from the mid-1700s.
No officer or otherwise a person of means would have a sword like this, as Jim writes, the darkened appearance of the hilt was done by other, way more expensive means than the asphaltum-based paint [i.e. japanning] - blueing and russeting.

Dmitry · 13th August 2010, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

Apparantly these are lighter, simple hilt swords that developed around the opening years of the 17th century that were in favor of the developing French school of fencing. The Italian and Spanish schools were much more conservative, and these were lighter, faster swords.
Because they were intended to be worn about town (as noted by Dmitry) they were essentially considered in a self defense type view, with the idea that as such they could easily be grasped from the bedside. There was apparantly a reference c.1655 to these type swords called 'walking swords', but the pillow thing seems to be an expression from about mid 18th century (Aylward, p.13).

Here are some chiseled steel pommels from around the same time< or just a tad earlier, than the one on my town-sword. Some of them are classified as French.

Jut to awaken the "pillow sword" nomenclature, Claude Blaire in his European and American Arms" put the term to rest [no pun intended].

Jim McDougall · 13th August 2010, 07:39 PM

Outstanding Dmitry! and thank you for the great illustrations as well. The information you and Mark have presented on japanning really puts that in perspective, and this on the 'pillow sword' term is great information.

It's amazing how literary notes can become collectors terms, and I found some other material that the the late Mr. Blair likely had at hand also from Aylward (1945). Here Aylward describes a 1748 reference by Smollett, citing an earlier tale of men giving up the habit of putting thier swords by the pillow (headboard) at night.
The late AVB Norman noted similar references but added the note on 'scarf sword' (p.184) which you noted earlier. On the same page Norman cited a 1970 reference from RBF van der Sloot who states that c.1655 these swords were called 'walking swords'....which nicely concurs with the 'town sword' term you have considered for these light self defense swords.

Dmitry · 14th August 2010, 03:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

On the same page Norman cited a 1970 reference from RBF van der Sloot who states that c.1655 these swords were called 'walking swords'....which nicely concurs with the 'town sword' term you have considered for these light self defense swords.

Jim, I just found out that the German term for them is "Promenierdegen", i.e. a "promenade sword" .
http://www.myseum.de/index.php?optio...limitstart=190

It all falls in place nicely. Town sword, scarf sword, epee de ville, promenierdegen, all of these terms basically tell us that these swords were essentially lightweight alternatives to the more cumbersome rapiers, and brought along while on leisurely strolls in one's town.

M ELEY · 15th August 2010, 02:39 AM

That does fit nicely and good work on finding the information! My final question, though, is if they still served a purpose for self-defence if attacked or strictly for presence? My "mourning sword" has a wicked edge and sharp tip. Seems like it would detract others from attack...

I like the pommel examples you sent, Dmitry, especially the so-called Blackamoor styling.

Dmitry · 15th August 2010, 04:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M ELEY

My final question, though, is if they still served a purpose for self-defence if attacked or strictly for presence? My "mourning sword" has a wicked edge and sharp tip. Seems like it would detract others from attack...

Ever watched the 'Return of the Living Dead' ?
Those 18th c. mourners clearly knew what was going on!

M ELEY · 15th August 2010, 05:08 AM

10th August 2010, 01:47 PM	#5
Dmitry Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 607	This is what a japanned small-sword hilt looks like. It's a French sergeants hanger from the mid-1700s. No officer or otherwise a person of means would have a sword like this, as Jim writes, the darkened appearance of the hilt was done by other, way more expensive means than the asphaltum-based paint [i.e. japanning] - blueing and russeting. Attached Images

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7th August 2010, 05:01 AM	#1
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,661	Thanks guys, this is pretty interesting and Ive been doing some checking. Great example Dmitry, these seem to be kind of an untapped sector of collecting, at least to me....pretty esoteric. Apparantly these are lighter, simple hilt swords that developed around the opening years of the 17th century that were in favor of the developing French school of fencing. The Italian and Spanish schools were much more conservative, and these were lighter, faster swords. Because they were intended to be worn about town (as noted by Dmitry) they were essentially considered in a self defense type view, with the idea that as such they could easily be grasped from the bedside. There was apparantly a reference c.1655 to these type swords called 'walking swords', but the pillow thing seems to be an expression from about mid 18th century (Aylward, p.13). Aylward also mentions on p.54 there was a strict convention for wearing of black in mid 18th century, with some cheaper blades and blackened steel hilts for expressing grief....it is noted that these were not necessarily just for mourning. It makes sense that a sword just for mourning would be a bit extravagant, unless there were really a lot of funerals!! This is what I could find so far, and I really appreciate you guys input, and hope we can discover more. Excellent example there Dmitry!!! All best regards, Jim

7th August 2010, 09:02 AM	#3
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,204	I've noticed in some of the old artworks of sea captains that blackened steel 'japanned' smallswords were popular. At first, I wrote this off as perhaps nothing more than a "prop" given to the subject being painted for artistic purposes, but Annis comments that smallswords were indeed popular among the maritime folks. I was wondering aloud if the blackened steel was more rust-resistant, as other naval swords that were painted or tarred black. Here's a sea captain (with an interesting history) whose pic is in the National Maritime Museum. Note the blackened hilt. Click on his pic for a bigger view. http://www.nmm.ac.uk/collections/exp...cfm?ID=BHC2928

7th August 2010, 09:28 AM	#4
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,661	Good points about the 'japanning' method of protection on hilts. Actually the use of brass on naval hilts was of course suggested as being favored for its rust resistance, but then the steel guards of the cutlasses would seem to have had to be japanned black. It is known that the Scots actually either russeted (brown) their basket hilts or japanned them, so that the images of glistening basket hilts seems a bit unlikely. The damp Scottish weather was certainly a challenge for steel. I would imagine that sea service hilts as Mark notes may well have been blackened, as these were of course more exposed to the elements. While military swords may often have been russeted or blackened, the civilian swords such as the regular smallswords or these 'walking or town swords' thier predecessors, may not have typically been so modified. It would seem the exception would have been the mourning swords discussed, and for these somber purposes. It would be hard to be sure though, as there were certain styles, especially oriental which came into fashion in the 'shakudo' type hilts of 18th century smallswords with black overall and dramatic gold or ornate motif. While these were 'dark' in appearance they were of course not somber, but the attraction for the darker effect can be seen. All the best, Jim

13th August 2010, 07:39 PM	#7
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,661	Outstanding Dmitry! and thank you for the great illustrations as well. The information you and Mark have presented on japanning really puts that in perspective, and this on the 'pillow sword' term is great information. It's amazing how literary notes can become collectors terms, and I found some other material that the the late Mr. Blair likely had at hand also from Aylward (1945). Here Aylward describes a 1748 reference by Smollett, citing an earlier tale of men giving up the habit of putting thier swords by the pillow (headboard) at night. The late AVB Norman noted similar references but added the note on 'scarf sword' (p.184) which you noted earlier. On the same page Norman cited a 1970 reference from RBF van der Sloot who states that c.1655 these swords were called 'walking swords'....which nicely concurs with the 'town sword' term you have considered for these light self defense swords.

15th August 2010, 02:39 AM	#9
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,204	That does fit nicely and good work on finding the information! My final question, though, is if they still served a purpose for self-defence if attacked or strictly for presence? My "mourning sword" has a wicked edge and sharp tip. Seems like it would detract others from attack... I like the pommel examples you sent, Dmitry, especially the so-called Blackamoor styling.

15th August 2010, 05:08 AM	#11
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,204