Smallsword for I D

[celtan]

This is a cousin of the two shown. Please notice the notched tip, this was a modification performed to cause a widened wound when retrieving the blade from its victim in a duel.

BTW: I'd love to polish the hilt and circular guard, but I always get criticized for doing so. Besides, there seems to be some japanning still present, or is it?

The pommel is non magnetic, as is the grip's wiring. Silver?

Best

Manuel

[Jim McDougall]

Outstanding Manuel!!!
Most definitely has all the elements of one of the swords that this information suggests were produced in some number in Boulton and associates shops around 1770's to 90's. Since he was a silversmith, quite possible to be silver but Im not well versed in metallurgy so cannot say whether that or another metal might be in the pommel.

It is exciting to see smallswords that can be attributed not only to a fairly tight period, but potentially to a maker or in this case, a school that is so closely linked to the industrialization and mass production in England.

One thing that you mention that I consider most intriguing is the blade having a notch to increase severity of wound. This feature is present on numerous sabres and cavalry swords in Europe, and is seldom observed. It seems to be a strictly 18th century practice, and its effectiveness in accomplishing its presumed purpose has been considered questionable. What is most puzzling is why a notch would be placed in the blade back near the tip on a cavalry sabre, which was used in slashing cuts, not thrusts. It is true that some cavalry attacks involved thrust from high tierce, as I understand, but this was the exception, and a notch would seem to increase the potential for the blade becoming lodged. In any case, an interesting subject.

Thank you for posting this example as well. I agree with avoiding too much cleaning...the patina is to me embodied history

All the best,
Jim

[celtan]

Thank you, Jim. I enjoy very much reading all your contributions. Seems you're a regular "renacentist man".!

Best regards

Manuel Luis

[Jim McDougall]

Originally Posted by celtan

Thank you, Jim. I enjoy very much reading all your contributions. Seems you're a regular "renacentist man".!

Best regards

Manuel Luis

Thanks very much Manuel, I'd like to think so!
With that note, I've been trying to track down what might be behind this rather fanciful motif on one of the blades here. While markings with trademarks, makers and associated cabalistic or talismanic symbols are fairly well represented in documentation concerning many blades in the 18th century, much of the military panoply and in this case neoclassic motif really is not.
With the clear neoclassic styling present in these times, it would seem that this winged figure reflects classical Christian convention as well as possibly any interpretation of the mythological winged deities of antiquity, with the Roman winged Victory seeming most likely on a sword blade.

In the classical designs followed in elements of the decorative motif on these hilts, it is also interesting to note how closely associated shapes often seem to religious and architectural themes.

Weapons and art are truly closely associated in many cases, particularly as shown in many of these hilts and blade decoration.

All the best,
Jim

[Iliad]

Gentlemen, thank you all so much for the informative replies to my question.
I had no idea that Smallswords were so interesting! This is so much fun that I will post threads on other items in my collection!
Brian (Iliad)

[Jim McDougall]

You're very welcome Brian...thank you for posting this! and very much looking forward to your posting others. As I noted initially, smallswords are are one of the more difficult weapons to assess as styles were so much copied and followed a close standard, but apparantly there are subtleties which help in identifying.
It is indeed fun as we all find these guidelines and clues together, and again, this topic runs closely with the threads on fencing foils, another relatively esoteric area of weapons collecting which we are compiling data on here.

All the best,
Jim