Smallswords, why the terms pillow and mourning swords?

kronckew · 8th October 2017, 12:09 AM

stumbled on this thread while researching. thought i'd post a photo or two of my cut steel grip mourning sword. it was listed as 19c when i got it, but it appears from the above discusiion it may be earlier. 95cm blade, appears to once have had a chain from the guard to the pommel in lieu of a knuckle bow. sadly no scabbard. i gather the black finish was rather polished to reflect from the steel bobbles jewel-like rather than a dull matte finish.

corrado26 · 8th October 2017, 07:49 AM

I red these posts with great attention because I have in my collection a small sword totally blackened and I didn't know what could have been the reason for this surface treating. On the blade there is a portrait or perhaps a caricature of a person whose meaning is also unknown to me. The sword has a length of 880mm and a total weight of 295g what is very light.
It could be French as well as English.
Thanks for comments
corrado26

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 15th November 2017, 11:24 AM

Mentioned earlier By Jim at #19 George Washington's portrait and wearing a sword... as below.

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 15th November 2017, 12:26 PM

kronckew · 1st December 2017, 01:47 PM

the lansdown painting above has just come back from cleaning and renovation. full story: HERE

Cleaned portrait - shows the sword a bit better:

8th October 2017, 07:49 AM	#2
corrado26 Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Black Forest, Germany Posts: 1,238	I red these posts with great attention because I have in my collection a small sword totally blackened and I didn't know what could have been the reason for this surface treating. On the blade there is a portrait or perhaps a caricature of a person whose meaning is also unknown to me. The sword has a length of 880mm and a total weight of 295g what is very light. It could be French as well as English. Thanks for comments corrado26 Attached Images

15th November 2017, 11:24 AM	#3
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	Mentioned earlier By Jim at #19 George Washington's portrait and wearing a sword... as below. Attached Images Last edited by Ibrahiim al Balooshi; 15th November 2017 at 12:24 PM.

1st December 2017, 01:47 PM	#5
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,244	the lansdown painting above has just come back from cleaning and renovation. full story: HERE Cleaned portrait - shows the sword a bit better: Attached Images

8th October 2017, 12:09 AM	#1
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,244	stumbled on this thread while researching. thought i'd post a photo or two of my cut steel grip mourning sword. it was listed as 19c when i got it, but it appears from the above discusiion it may be earlier. 95cm blade, appears to once have had a chain from the guard to the pommel in lieu of a knuckle bow. sadly no scabbard. i gather the black finish was rather polished to reflect from the steel bobbles jewel-like rather than a dull matte finish. Attached Images

15th November 2017, 12:26 PM	#4
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408