Smallsword with a hunting (?) motif

leicanthrope · 11th May 2025, 03:33 AM

I've had this smallsword for a number of years, and I've heard different suggestions as to it's age and origin. I wanted to throw it out here to see what you guys think.

In certain light, you can see a faint residue of some sort of silver colored plating on the brass. It's best preserved on the bottom (blade side) of the guard, but even that's proven very difficult to photograph. The only marking I've found is tucked away in an awkward spot on the guard near the opening for the blade. It might be a 2, but I'm uncertain. (I'll post a photo of that as well.)

toaster5sqn · 11th May 2025, 10:08 PM

The shell is to far in front of the rings and the lack of detail on the front of them is jarring. Also the grind on the blade does not look truly hollow, is there a fuller on the other side? your pictures don't show it.
My very unexpert gut instinct is late Victorian at best but probably early 20thC.

Robert

Jim McDougall · 11th May 2025, 11:34 PM

I agree, likely a good quality replica perhaps theatrical ?and early 20th c.

leicanthrope · 12th May 2025, 03:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toaster5sqn

Also the grind on the blade does not look truly hollow, is there a fuller on the other side? your pictures don't show it.

Here's a couple more. One of the other side, and one that shows more of the grind. It's flatter near the hilt, and transitions to a more hollow profile as it goes.

11th May 2025, 03:33 AM	#1
leicanthrope Member Join Date: Mar 2025 Location: Georgia Posts: 6	Smallsword with a hunting (?) motif I've had this smallsword for a number of years, and I've heard different suggestions as to it's age and origin. I wanted to throw it out here to see what you guys think. In certain light, you can see a faint residue of some sort of silver colored plating on the brass. It's best preserved on the bottom (blade side) of the guard, but even that's proven very difficult to photograph. The only marking I've found is tucked away in an awkward spot on the guard near the opening for the blade. It might be a 2, but I'm uncertain. (I'll post a photo of that as well.) Attached Images

11th May 2025, 10:08 PM	#2
toaster5sqn Member Join Date: Jul 2021 Location: New Zealand Posts: 84	The shell is to far in front of the rings and the lack of detail on the front of them is jarring. Also the grind on the blade does not look truly hollow, is there a fuller on the other side? your pictures don't show it. My very unexpert gut instinct is late Victorian at best but probably early 20thC. Robert

11th May 2025, 11:34 PM	#3
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,661	I agree, likely a good quality replica perhaps theatrical ?and early 20th c.