Transitional Rapier/Smallsword with massive Hilt

templarnight · 2nd February 2013, 02:37 PM

Hi

I have just bought this Sword.

Although I am not really interested in Rapiers or Smallswords to collect, this one for some strange reason completely grabbed me and hence why I bought it.

The Hilt is very large, especially the Shell Guard.

Is this a fighting Sword or purely some kind of statements symbol - look at the size of my sword - kind of thing.

Jim McDougall · 2nd February 2013, 03:30 PM

Very nice colichemarde, which although not exactly a transitional rapier, did descend from them. The key characteristic of the colichemarde blade is the pronounced forte, which was designed to parry heavier blades. These were indeed fighting swords which were often worn in court atmospheres and intended for duelling, but it seems that officers often wore them as well.

It was long held that the term 'colichemarde' was a corruption from the name of one Graf von Konigsmark, however the form is known to have existed from the latter 17th century, prior to his time*. It would be interesting to learn more on the etymology of this term.

* see my next entry

I cannot make out the inscription on the blade, but the general hilt appearance and spirally gadrooned pommel I would think would place this one in the third quarter 18th century into early 19th. These dont really seem to come up much, so I would say a very worthy acquisition, and hope more will be forthcoming from others out there.

fernando · 2nd February 2013, 04:05 PM

Nice sword

A close up picture of the blade inscriptions is a must; let's see what we can read int

Jim McDougall · 2nd February 2013, 08:45 PM

Apparantly there is a quite clouded history of these unique sword blades, as with the etymology of the term. It is claimed that the term is a French corruption of the name Konigsmark, but according to Aylward (1945) there is no record of the term 'colichmarde' in contemporary usage in either French or German. However more recently the Larousse 'Dictionaire Universalle' has the word 'Konigsmark' listed as a term for a type of German sword blade.

Even more perplexing is the presumed originator of the blade form, Count John Phillip von Konigsmark (1665-1694?), a Swedish noble known as a soldier of fortune, duellist and apparantly philanderer, which seems likely the root of his reputation as a duellist. He is believed to have been murdered in 1694 during a scandal in the Royal court in London.

Aylward notes that these blades seem to have passed out of fashion in the later part of the reign of George I, but believes this pertained more to civilian versions of these swords (c. 1720s) and they continued favored by military officers (George Washington had one). He states further that these are known into the 1790s, perhaps even later, as one he mentions has the cypher of George III, again military regulations do not specify any type of sword using this term.

Hope this might be helpful.

M ELEY · 3rd February 2013, 03:56 AM

Very nice smallsword! I've been wanting to pick one up with the colichmarde blade. These were even popular with naval officers, I'm told. I especially like the large 'fighting' hilt. The guard seems almost flat vs cupped and the large pas de' an (spelling!?) indicates pre-1800. I envy you!

templarnight · 3rd February 2013, 11:23 AM

Heres some pics of the legend.

Some sizes -

Total length - 117cm

Blade - 97.5cm, 3.9cm wide at Forte.

Shell Guard 11cm square

2nd February 2013, 02:37 PM	#1
templarnight Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 87	Transitional Rapier/Smallsword with massive Hilt Hi I have just bought this Sword. Although I am not really interested in Rapiers or Smallswords to collect, this one for some strange reason completely grabbed me and hence why I bought it. The Hilt is very large, especially the Shell Guard. Is this a fighting Sword or purely some kind of statements symbol - look at the size of my sword - kind of thing. Attached Images

2nd February 2013, 03:30 PM	#2
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,767	Very nice colichemarde, which although not exactly a transitional rapier, did descend from them. The key characteristic of the colichemarde blade is the pronounced forte, which was designed to parry heavier blades. These were indeed fighting swords which were often worn in court atmospheres and intended for duelling, but it seems that officers often wore them as well. It was long held that the term 'colichemarde' was a corruption from the name of one Graf von Konigsmark, however the form is known to have existed from the latter 17th century, prior to his time. It would be interesting to learn more on the etymology of this term. see my next entry I cannot make out the inscription on the blade, but the general hilt appearance and spirally gadrooned pommel I would think would place this one in the third quarter 18th century into early 19th. These dont really seem to come up much, so I would say a very worthy acquisition, and hope more will be forthcoming from others out there. Last edited by Jim McDougall; 2nd February 2013 at 08:46 PM.

3rd February 2013, 11:23 AM	#6
templarnight Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 87	Heres some pics of the legend. Some sizes - Total length - 117cm Blade - 97.5cm, 3.9cm wide at Forte. Shell Guard 11cm square Attached Images

2nd February 2013, 04:05 PM	#3
fernando Lead Moderator European Armoury Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,642	Nice sword A close up picture of the blade inscriptions is a must; let's see what we can read int

2nd February 2013, 08:45 PM	#4
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,767	Apparantly there is a quite clouded history of these unique sword blades, as with the etymology of the term. It is claimed that the term is a French corruption of the name Konigsmark, but according to Aylward (1945) there is no record of the term 'colichmarde' in contemporary usage in either French or German. However more recently the Larousse 'Dictionaire Universalle' has the word 'Konigsmark' listed as a term for a type of German sword blade. Even more perplexing is the presumed originator of the blade form, Count John Phillip von Konigsmark (1665-1694?), a Swedish noble known as a soldier of fortune, duellist and apparantly philanderer, which seems likely the root of his reputation as a duellist. He is believed to have been murdered in 1694 during a scandal in the Royal court in London. Aylward notes that these blades seem to have passed out of fashion in the later part of the reign of George I, but believes this pertained more to civilian versions of these swords (c. 1720s) and they continued favored by military officers (George Washington had one). He states further that these are known into the 1790s, perhaps even later, as one he mentions has the cypher of George III, again military regulations do not specify any type of sword using this term. Hope this might be helpful.

3rd February 2013, 03:56 AM	#5
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,072	Very nice smallsword! I've been wanting to pick one up with the colichmarde blade. These were even popular with naval officers, I'm told. I especially like the large 'fighting' hilt. The guard seems almost flat vs cupped and the large pas de' an (spelling!?) indicates pre-1800. I envy you!