Iron cut small sword with golden inlays

Jim McDougall · 24th December 2020, 08:24 PM

Wow! Udo that is a gorgeous sword! and I would agree with being French and mid 18th c. if not a bit earlier. Russeted and gilt hilts with neo classical themes were popular then, and the bilobate guard corresponds to examples I see in Aylward (1945).
While small swords and rapiers seem to have held to tradition in Italy and far more so in Spain, it seems French swordsmanship dictated innovations in 'faster' blades and this looks like a 'fighting' sword. Those pas d'ane are entirely functional, not vestigial as later in the century.

mariusgmioc · 24th December 2020, 10:17 PM

I first looked at the photos and only then I read your posting.

But the first thing when I saw the photos was me to think of an 18th to early 19th century French smallsword.

Very nice example!

M ELEY · 24th December 2020, 10:52 PM

Very nice gentleman's smallsword! As Jim points out, I believe mid- to late 18th based on the large pas d'ane. The blade certainly looks made for business during a time when just walking to the pub could get one set upon by street thugs. Great find, Udo!

24th December 2020, 08:24 PM	#1
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,506	Wow! Udo that is a gorgeous sword! and I would agree with being French and mid 18th c. if not a bit earlier. Russeted and gilt hilts with neo classical themes were popular then, and the bilobate guard corresponds to examples I see in Aylward (1945). While small swords and rapiers seem to have held to tradition in Italy and far more so in Spain, it seems French swordsmanship dictated innovations in 'faster' blades and this looks like a 'fighting' sword. Those pas d'ane are entirely functional, not vestigial as later in the century.

24th December 2020, 10:17 PM	#2
mariusgmioc Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Austria Posts: 1,911	I first looked at the photos and only then I read your posting. But the first thing when I saw the photos was me to think of an 18th to early 19th century French smallsword. Very nice example!

24th December 2020, 10:52 PM	#3
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,184	Very nice gentleman's smallsword! As Jim points out, I believe mid- to late 18th based on the large pas d'ane. The blade certainly looks made for business during a time when just walking to the pub could get one set upon by street thugs. Great find, Udo!