Composite Smallsword

fernando · 2nd September 2021, 07:35 PM

Welcome to the forum Radboud

.
Tell us, does the same 'NTOL' inscription appear in both sides ?

Radboud · 2nd September 2021, 08:50 PM

Thank you for the welcome Fernando,

Yes the inscription appears on both sides of the blade.

Cheers
Bas

cornelistromp · 6th September 2021, 06:02 PM

It is difficult to say anything meaningful about the origin, this type in terms of style was worn, among other countries, in England, Germany, France, and the Netherlands
The pommel is type 89 in Norman's typology, dateable from 1770 onwards.
Although the decoration on the oval shellguard and pommel consists mainly of symmetrical shapes, you can still see two Rococo shells on the rings of the grip. I expect the hilt was made in the Rococo "transition" period, around 1770-1780.
Colichemarde blades begin to appear after the mid-17th century and have been used on smallswords for over 100 years. This blade reminds me of a rapier blade as far as the fullers and inscription ( EN TOLEDO)are concerned, but it is not a cut down rapier blade, it has a small attachment at the ricasso and is made for a small sword.
It is reused for this later hilt and probably originally dating to the last quarter of the 17th century.

best,
Jasper

Radboud · 6th September 2021, 10:35 PM

Thank you Jasper,

That is excellent additional information. I was in two minds that the grip might be a mid 19th Century re-build but the extra thin wire made me hopeful that it was more 'period' (end of 18th Century).

Cheers
Bas

cornelistromp · 7th September 2021, 07:52 AM

hi Bas,

yes I think the copper wire of the grip is not (partly or completely) the original 1770 wire, you would expect a silver-bound grip here.

The wood under it (probably is) and the silver? grip rings seem original to me.

best,
Jasper

mariusgmioc · 8th September 2021, 01:48 PM

The hilt of your sword appears to be an exact copy of mine (by William Kinman of London, in 1772):

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=27044

Radboud · 9th September 2021, 12:05 AM

That is a stunning sword you have Marius, all the more impressive for having come from a premier English silversmith/maker.

It has been suggested that the guard on mine is a cast copy of a higher grade smallsword such as yours.

8th September 2021, 01:48 PM	#6
mariusgmioc Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Austria Posts: 1,906	The hilt of your sword appears to be an exact copy of mine (by William Kinman of London, in 1772): http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=27044 Attached Images

2nd September 2021, 07:35 PM	#1
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	Welcome to the forum Radboud . Tell us, does the same 'NTOL' inscription appear in both sides ?

2nd September 2021, 08:50 PM	#2
Radboud Member Join Date: Sep 2021 Location: New Zealand Posts: 276	Thank you for the welcome Fernando, Yes the inscription appears on both sides of the blade. Cheers Bas

6th September 2021, 06:02 PM	#3
cornelistromp Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 1,060	It is difficult to say anything meaningful about the origin, this type in terms of style was worn, among other countries, in England, Germany, France, and the Netherlands The pommel is type 89 in Norman's typology, dateable from 1770 onwards. Although the decoration on the oval shellguard and pommel consists mainly of symmetrical shapes, you can still see two Rococo shells on the rings of the grip. I expect the hilt was made in the Rococo "transition" period, around 1770-1780. Colichemarde blades begin to appear after the mid-17th century and have been used on smallswords for over 100 years. This blade reminds me of a rapier blade as far as the fullers and inscription ( EN TOLEDO)are concerned, but it is not a cut down rapier blade, it has a small attachment at the ricasso and is made for a small sword. It is reused for this later hilt and probably originally dating to the last quarter of the 17th century. best, Jasper

6th September 2021, 10:35 PM	#4
Radboud Member Join Date: Sep 2021 Location: New Zealand Posts: 276	Thank you Jasper, That is excellent additional information. I was in two minds that the grip might be a mid 19th Century re-build but the extra thin wire made me hopeful that it was more 'period' (end of 18th Century). Cheers Bas

7th September 2021, 07:52 AM	#5
cornelistromp Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 1,060	hi Bas, yes I think the copper wire of the grip is not (partly or completely) the original 1770 wire, you would expect a silver-bound grip here. The wood under it (probably is) and the silver? grip rings seem original to me. best, Jasper

9th September 2021, 12:05 AM	#7
Radboud Member Join Date: Sep 2021 Location: New Zealand Posts: 276	That is a stunning sword you have Marius, all the more impressive for having come from a premier English silversmith/maker. It has been suggested that the guard on mine is a cast copy of a higher grade smallsword such as yours.