Smallsword Duelling

Norman McCormick · 13th June 2021, 06:06 PM

Hi Urbanspaceman,
This post should be of some interest http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...highlight=1796 A lot of the officers swords tended to have light decorative blades great for show but not so great in combat on the other hand the N.C.O.'s version does have a blade and general construction that is much more suitable for fighting.
My Regards,
Norman.

Jim McDougall · 13th June 2021, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Norman McCormick

Hi Urbanspaceman,
This post should be of some interest http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...highlight=1796 A lot of the officers swords tended to have light decorative blades great for show but not so great in combat on the other hand the N.C.O.'s version does have a blade and general construction that is much more suitable for fighting.
My Regards,
Norman.

Hi Norman,
We crossed posts. After 1786, the infantry basically ceased wearing swords, except for officers and NCO's. As I had noted, infantry officers were not expected to enter into direct fighting, but to 'direct their forces'. The NCOs however were part of the fighting element, and as such continued wearing swords. This is why the notable basket hilts used by the 42nd (Black Watch) when turned in c. 1783, remained worn by NCOs.

Norman McCormick · 13th June 2021, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

This is why the notable basket hilts used by the 42nd (Black Watch) when turned in c. 1783, remained worn by NCOs.

Hi Jim,
I digress. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJS_8kRX_ig https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjH4XoY3zJY

My Regards,
Norman.

Jim McDougall · 13th June 2021, 10:32 PM

Very nice digression Norman!!!!

A glass of Drambuie up!!!!

Bryce · 14th June 2021, 03:00 AM

G'day Guys,
Some British officers were carrying military small swords during this time. Here is an example which seems to have been favoured by officers of the 1st Foot Guards. I have come across several portraits of foot guards officers carrying these. These types of blades are also found on conventional 1796 infantry officer sword hilts. The bottom sword is a 1796 Infantry Officer spadroon for comparison. Both have 82cm blades.
Cheers,
Bryce

midelburgo · 15th June 2021, 02:01 PM

I recommend these two.

BILLACOIS, François. Le duel dans la société française des XVIe-XVIIe siècles. Essai de psychosociologie historique. EHESS, Paris 1986. Wr. 540pp..

BRIOIST, Pascal, DRÉVILLON, Hervé, & SERNA, Pierre. Croiser le fer. Violence et culture de l’épée dans la France moderne (XVIe-XVIIIe siècle. 2002 Seyssel, Champ Vallon. ISBN 2 8763 352 8. Pb.. 527pp..

Nowhere a society became as adicted to the duels as in XVIIth century France.

By the way a little known fact, is that an usual result of duelling with smallswords was the loss of fingers, people often trying to catch the blades with bare hands.

And for more:

THIMM, Carl A.. A Complete Bibliography of Fencing and Duelling: As Practiced by All European Nations from the Middle Ages to the Present Day. Facsimil. Gretna 1998, Pelican Publishing Company. ISBN 1 56554 445 5. Pb.. xviii+540pp..

14th June 2021, 03:00 AM	#5
Bryce Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: North Queensland, Australia Posts: 188	G'day Guys, Some British officers were carrying military small swords during this time. Here is an example which seems to have been favoured by officers of the 1st Foot Guards. I have come across several portraits of foot guards officers carrying these. These types of blades are also found on conventional 1796 infantry officer sword hilts. The bottom sword is a 1796 Infantry Officer spadroon for comparison. Both have 82cm blades. Cheers, Bryce Attached Images

13th June 2021, 06:06 PM	#1
Norman McCormick Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 1,613	Hi Urbanspaceman, This post should be of some interest http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...highlight=1796 A lot of the officers swords tended to have light decorative blades great for show but not so great in combat on the other hand the N.C.O.'s version does have a blade and general construction that is much more suitable for fighting. My Regards, Norman.

13th June 2021, 10:32 PM	#4
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,193	Very nice digression Norman!!!! A glass of Drambuie up!!!!

15th June 2021, 02:01 PM	#6
midelburgo Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 264	I recommend these two. BILLACOIS, François. Le duel dans la société française des XVIe-XVIIe siècles. Essai de psychosociologie historique. EHESS, Paris 1986. Wr. 540pp.. BRIOIST, Pascal, DRÉVILLON, Hervé, & SERNA, Pierre. Croiser le fer. Violence et culture de l’épée dans la France moderne (XVIe-XVIIIe siècle. 2002 Seyssel, Champ Vallon. ISBN 2 8763 352 8. Pb.. 527pp.. Nowhere a society became as adicted to the duels as in XVIIth century France. By the way a little known fact, is that an usual result of duelling with smallswords was the loss of fingers, people often trying to catch the blades with bare hands. And for more: THIMM, Carl A.. A Complete Bibliography of Fencing and Duelling: As Practiced by All European Nations from the Middle Ages to the Present Day. Facsimil. Gretna 1998, Pelican Publishing Company. ISBN 1 56554 445 5. Pb.. xviii+540pp..