A simple but interesting smallsword

M ELEY · 16th February 2021, 12:26 AM

Thank you, Jim, for shedding light on the topic. I also know that (believe it or not!

), smallswords went to sea. Spanish naval officers were reported to wear these as dress and while they probably didn't wear them on deck, they would have been kept in their quarters for fancy occasions ashore, diplomatic missions, visits to other ports, etc.

Jim McDougall · 16th February 2021, 02:09 AM

Absolutely Mark!
Officers, no matter in what units they were in, had their share of small swords. At sea , the officers were not expected to participate in melee or combat, but to direct. As you aptly point out, these distinctive swords were elements of fashion and status, and as discussed, extremely deadly, not just embellished baubles.

Officers in those times were almost invariably well heeled and from all ranks of gentry to high peerage and nobility. While the sword was of course very much the weapon of choice as firearms encroached, but with their inherent issues and limitations ,its advantage was it was always immediate and at the ready.

On campaign, officers of the army would of course leave behind the dressier swords, and often used a select dress sword, but small swords were for civil or dress wear. At sea, the officers had these with them as occasion arose.

In the "golden age" of piracy, on the Spanish vessels the captains and officers, had rapiers earlier, but were hardly wielding them a'la Flynn and Fairbanks. The small sword became the very suitable replacement for the ungainly rapiers.

With the famed Blackbeard saga, Lt. Maynard must have had a run of the mill smallsword as its blade broke in his initial contact with Teach.

Norman McCormick · 16th February 2021, 05:18 PM

Hi Guys,
I like smallswords and they are deadly little items. It's alright slashing and bashing away with a cutter but one little poke in the right place with one of these and it's all over. An interesting thread as always.
My Regards,
Norman.

kronckew · 17th February 2021, 07:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Norman McCormick

Hi Guys,
I like smallswords and they are deadly little items. It's alright slashing and bashing away with a cutter but one little poke in the right place with one of these and it's all over. An interesting thread as always.
My Regards,
Norman.

The trick being actually poking them 'in the right place'. I recall a certain Mr. J. Bowie (not related to the singer) who got into a bit of a barney with a few people, one of whom ran him thru the lung with a swordstick, very 'smallsword-ish', and James B. proceeded to gut him like a fish with a chef's knife; JB recovered. Slicing 'in the right place' can quickly disable someone without killing them. LEOs tend to frown on having to deal with dead bodies. Too much paperwork. Sadly, Mr. Fillet of Fish didn't survive. JB went on to make a film with John Wayne in San Antonio if I recall correctly. The details in my mind are a bit fuzzy tho.

p.s. - I know the right places

16th February 2021, 12:26 AM	#1
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,159	Thank you, Jim, for shedding light on the topic. I also know that (believe it or not! ), smallswords went to sea. Spanish naval officers were reported to wear these as dress and while they probably didn't wear them on deck, they would have been kept in their quarters for fancy occasions ashore, diplomatic missions, visits to other ports, etc.

16th February 2021, 02:09 AM	#2
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,282	Absolutely Mark! Officers, no matter in what units they were in, had their share of small swords. At sea , the officers were not expected to participate in melee or combat, but to direct. As you aptly point out, these distinctive swords were elements of fashion and status, and as discussed, extremely deadly, not just embellished baubles. Officers in those times were almost invariably well heeled and from all ranks of gentry to high peerage and nobility. While the sword was of course very much the weapon of choice as firearms encroached, but with their inherent issues and limitations ,its advantage was it was always immediate and at the ready. On campaign, officers of the army would of course leave behind the dressier swords, and often used a select dress sword, but small swords were for civil or dress wear. At sea, the officers had these with them as occasion arose. In the "golden age" of piracy, on the Spanish vessels the captains and officers, had rapiers earlier, but were hardly wielding them a'la Flynn and Fairbanks. The small sword became the very suitable replacement for the ungainly rapiers. With the famed Blackbeard saga, Lt. Maynard must have had a run of the mill smallsword as its blade broke in his initial contact with Teach.

16th February 2021, 05:18 PM	#3
Norman McCormick Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 1,618	Hi Guys, I like smallswords and they are deadly little items. It's alright slashing and bashing away with a cutter but one little poke in the right place with one of these and it's all over. An interesting thread as always. My Regards, Norman.