A simple but interesting smallsword

M ELEY · 26th January 2021, 01:33 AM

Here's one I picked up a number of years ago on the cheap. Classic form bilobate guard, simple knuckle bow, large pas d'an, trefoil blade. Note the lack of decoration to guard, pommel, knucklebow. I think this is a so-called 'mourning sword', a non-dress pattern. I'm told the name comes from these being worn to funerals?? I know that they were still carried in self-defense and I remember mention that sergeants and night watchmen carried such types? When I got it, the copper wrap was brand new and too 'blingy' for the piece, so I darkened it, but have little doubt that this probably was what the original had (wire wrap). Based on construction, I'm assuming perhaps mid-18th?

M ELEY · 26th January 2021, 01:35 AM

Note that the pitted blade at one time had etched foliage and possibly a name? Saying? Too lost to tell-

corrado26 · 26th January 2021, 09:44 AM

I have a similar probably French piece, completey black hilt with a blackerned wire grip and a portrait of a noble man with allonge wig, probably a mildly said not too exact portrait of Louis XV.

M ELEY · 26th January 2021, 03:58 PM

Thank you so much, Corrado, for responding and posting your smallsword. Nice to know a country of origin! In looking at the tracing on the blade, I believe I see remnants of the wig and possible profile. Thanks again!

Norman McCormick · 15th February 2021, 05:44 PM

Hi,
Here are a couple of smallswords I picked up in a lot with other bits. Some nice person thought it would be a good idea to plate them blades and all. I've managed to get the plating off the blade of the plain one but it is a laborious job but on the other hand not a lot to do in lockdown! Regarding the plain one, I read some time ago I don't know where that this very rudimentary type may be French N.C.O. issue but who knows.
Regards,
Norman.

M ELEY · 15th February 2021, 06:08 PM

Very nice sword pair, Norman! particularly like the example with the colichemarde blade! I had also read somewhere that the plain smallswords, many blackened, were NCO or 'sergeant' swords? I've had trouble relocating the source I had read from, though. Thanks for posting these!

fernando · 17th February 2021, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M ELEY

... Based on construction, I'm assuming perhaps mid-18th?...

I would say so as well, Mark. This pattern was in use both in civilan as also military swords of the last quarter XVIII century. These later inspired model 1806 pattern Portuguese officers sword. In this period officers had to buy their sword from own pocket, and it was possible to mount them with ancestors blades, either for sentimental or economic reasons; only they had to be two edged. One of mine had a Solingen blade; the other, a Tomas Aiala ... certainly spurious.
And if i may, Mark ...

.

M ELEY · 17th February 2021, 03:33 PM

Absolutely beautiful examples, Fernando! True works of art in their design! I find it fascinating to see the divergence in forms, not only in function (rapier versus much lighter smallsword) but in décor. Thank you for posting these here-

fernando · 17th February 2021, 03:41 PM

You're welcome, Captain,
I guess i could have shown you my (ex) other one ...

.

M ELEY · 17th February 2021, 08:00 PM

Very fine example! Now would you say this Portuguese smallsword was decorated based on French 1st Empire style? I'm guessing that this styling, having affected so many other countries, inspired the intricate designs and gadrooned pommel.

fernando · 18th February 2021, 05:18 PM

Dear Mark, the article author desn't mention that these swords were 'copied' from those of other nations but that they have 'characteristics in common'. You may take your guess.
Here you have in detail how these swords were mounted and which variants were determined for the different ranks.
To add that there are rare examples were the hilt is solid silver, with respective period hallmarks.
A pity none of these served in the Navy; well ... you never know

.

26th January 2021, 01:33 AM	#1
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,066	A simple but interesting smallsword Here's one I picked up a number of years ago on the cheap. Classic form bilobate guard, simple knuckle bow, large pas d'an, trefoil blade. Note the lack of decoration to guard, pommel, knucklebow. I think this is a so-called 'mourning sword', a non-dress pattern. I'm told the name comes from these being worn to funerals?? I know that they were still carried in self-defense and I remember mention that sergeants and night watchmen carried such types? When I got it, the copper wrap was brand new and too 'blingy' for the piece, so I darkened it, but have little doubt that this probably was what the original had (wire wrap). Based on construction, I'm assuming perhaps mid-18th? Attached Images

26th January 2021, 01:35 AM	#2
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,066	Two more... Note that the pitted blade at one time had etched foliage and possibly a name? Saying? Too lost to tell- Attached Images

26th January 2021, 09:44 AM	#3
corrado26 Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Black Forest, Germany Posts: 1,166	I have a similar probably French piece, completey black hilt with a blackerned wire grip and a portrait of a noble man with allonge wig, probably a mildly said not too exact portrait of Louis XV. Attached Images

15th February 2021, 05:44 PM	#5
Norman McCormick Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 1,575	Hi, Here are a couple of smallswords I picked up in a lot with other bits. Some nice person thought it would be a good idea to plate them blades and all. I've managed to get the plating off the blade of the plain one but it is a laborious job but on the other hand not a lot to do in lockdown! Regarding the plain one, I read some time ago I don't know where that this very rudimentary type may be French N.C.O. issue but who knows. Regards, Norman. Attached Images

17th February 2021, 03:41 PM	#9
fernando Lead Moderator European Armoury Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,638	You're welcome, Captain, I guess i could have shown you my (ex) other one ... . Attached Images

26th January 2021, 03:58 PM	#4
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,066	Thank you so much, Corrado, for responding and posting your smallsword. Nice to know a country of origin! In looking at the tracing on the blade, I believe I see remnants of the wig and possible profile. Thanks again!

15th February 2021, 06:08 PM	#6
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,066	Very nice sword pair, Norman! particularly like the example with the colichemarde blade! I had also read somewhere that the plain smallswords, many blackened, were NCO or 'sergeant' swords? I've had trouble relocating the source I had read from, though. Thanks for posting these!

17th February 2021, 03:33 PM	#8
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,066	Absolutely beautiful examples, Fernando! True works of art in their design! I find it fascinating to see the divergence in forms, not only in function (rapier versus much lighter smallsword) but in décor. Thank you for posting these here-

17th February 2021, 08:00 PM	#10
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,066	Very fine example! Now would you say this Portuguese smallsword was decorated based on French 1st Empire style? I'm guessing that this styling, having affected so many other countries, inspired the intricate designs and gadrooned pommel.

18th February 2021, 05:18 PM	#11
fernando Lead Moderator European Armoury Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,638	Dear Mark, the article author desn't mention that these swords were 'copied' from those of other nations but that they have 'characteristics in common'. You may take your guess. Here you have in detail how these swords were mounted and which variants were determined for the different ranks. To add that there are rare examples were the hilt is solid silver, with respective period hallmarks. A pity none of these served in the Navy; well ... you never know . Attached Images