Colichemarde English smallsword

Jim McDougall · 13th June 2021, 02:28 AM

"...a silver sword? well thou shalt have that too , now hast thou everything".
-VANBRUGH, 1705

This is a beautiful example of small sword by William Kinman of London, of 8
Snow Hill, Holborn Cross Precinct, London, who seems to have been quite prolific and important in precious metal hilts and guilds and associations.

The four key markings here are placed on the vestigial pas d'ane rings, as the practice by 1770s and earlier.
In Aylward (1945, fig. 46) a silver hilt remarkably similar in all its features is shown , by John Fayle, Fleet St. in diamante work ( with facets and bead work).
Aylward remarks( p.75) that this sword may well have been such a weapon that the character Capt. Absolute was hiding under his cloak, in the play "The Rivals" by Sheridan produced the same year , 1775.
Perhaps the fashion was at least present already by 1772.

A great deal of history, elegance and fashion, yet still a most deadly weapon.

urbanspaceman · 13th June 2021, 03:46 PM

A beautiful piece of work.
Where did the information come from regarding the retailer?
Do you, by chance, happen to know the price?

I have seen one missive from the mid. 1700s where a chap complains:
"...can't get a handsome sword for £5 or £6, so have ventured to £8 lOs .... ".
That is a retail price of over £2,000 today, but a lot more in the relative cost of manual labour.

The hallmarks on my WK boat-shell colichemarde (posted in an earlier thread) show: WK; Lion; Leopard; ?. I can't make out the date mark.

mariusgmioc · 15th June 2021, 06:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by urbanspaceman

Where did the information come from regarding the retailer?
Do you, by chance, happen to know the price?

The hallmarks on my WK boat-shell colichemarde (posted in an earlier thread) show: WK; Lion; Leopard; ?

The retailer name is marked on the scabbard (see photo). Unfortunately I don't remember the price and I didn't keep the invoice.

The lion (see photo) stands for sterling silver, while the crowned leopard is the mark of the London Assay Office.

urbanspaceman · 15th June 2021, 04:32 PM

Didn't keep the receipt? How can you return it if it gets bent?

Will M · 16th June 2021, 02:35 PM

Very nice sword, I've been admiring this type lately. Don't ask the price and you won't get those answers.

urbanspaceman · 16th June 2021, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Will M

Very nice sword, I've been admiring this type lately. Don't ask the price and you won't get those answers.

Marius and I were having a joke between us.
It was the original price paid - when new - I was interested in.
Marius understood that; you obviously didn't.
My inclusion of the mid.18th century missive, and his inclusion of the smiley emotive, should have made that clear.
Nobody cares how much Marius paid for it; and if they did, it would be impertinent to ask.

Will M · 16th June 2021, 04:45 PM

I totally agree!!

13th June 2021, 03:46 PM	#2
urbanspaceman Member Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Tyneside. North-East England Posts: 722	Georgian Bling A beautiful piece of work. Where did the information come from regarding the retailer? Do you, by chance, happen to know the price? I have seen one missive from the mid. 1700s where a chap complains: "...can't get a handsome sword for £5 or £6, so have ventured to £8 lOs .... ". That is a retail price of over £2,000 today, but a lot more in the relative cost of manual labour. The hallmarks on my WK boat-shell colichemarde (posted in an earlier thread) show: WK; Lion; Leopard; ?. I can't make out the date mark.

15th June 2021, 04:32 PM	#4
urbanspaceman Member Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Tyneside. North-East England Posts: 722	Warranty Didn't keep the receipt? How can you return it if it gets bent?

13th June 2021, 02:28 AM	#1
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,660	"...a silver sword? well thou shalt have that too , now hast thou everything". -VANBRUGH, 1705 This is a beautiful example of small sword by William Kinman of London, of 8 Snow Hill, Holborn Cross Precinct, London, who seems to have been quite prolific and important in precious metal hilts and guilds and associations. The four key markings here are placed on the vestigial pas d'ane rings, as the practice by 1770s and earlier. In Aylward (1945, fig. 46) a silver hilt remarkably similar in all its features is shown , by John Fayle, Fleet St. in diamante work ( with facets and bead work). Aylward remarks( p.75) that this sword may well have been such a weapon that the character Capt. Absolute was hiding under his cloak, in the play "The Rivals" by Sheridan produced the same year , 1775. Perhaps the fashion was at least present already by 1772. A great deal of history, elegance and fashion, yet still a most deadly weapon.

16th June 2021, 02:35 PM	#5
Will M Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: In the wee woods north of Napanee Ontario Posts: 404	Very nice sword, I've been admiring this type lately. Don't ask the price and you won't get those answers.

16th June 2021, 04:45 PM	#7
Will M Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: In the wee woods north of Napanee Ontario Posts: 404	I totally agree!!