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28th December 2023, 03:33 PM | #1 |
Member
Join Date: May 2017
Location: France
Posts: 173
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Well, well, well, look what arrived ...
Sometimes when you receive a weapon, you feel like it was made for business, and not just as a hip ornament. This is exactly how I felt when I picked up this smallsword for the first time, it definitely feels like a no frills, efficient weapon. The balance is of course very good, the blade - though unsigned - seem to be of good quality, but what surprised me the most is the excellent point control it has ; indeed, compared to a classic foil, I can control the point of my blade way more easily with this sword. The grip is rather comfortable, and surprisingly protective given how simple it is. I don't have much more to add right now, but I am very happy about it ! |
28th December 2023, 07:30 PM | #2 |
Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Tyneside. North-East England
Posts: 517
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Blade
Hello again.
You remember I asked about the blade and whether it featured a hollow or a grove on the lower face... now I see it is a groove. This - like all colichemardes - was impressed using the infamous machine that was taken to Shotley Bridge from Solingen. I have seen examples of it on Birmingham swords before and have begun to wonder if a Mohll or an Oley set a one up down there. The probability this is a Matthew Boulton hilt makes me wonder even more. I draw your attention to an almost identical blade made by - or for - Thomas Gill. See following photos: Last edited by urbanspaceman; 28th December 2023 at 07:33 PM. Reason: photos |
28th December 2023, 07:36 PM | #3 |
Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Tyneside. North-East England
Posts: 517
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Photos
see photos of the Gill sword:
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2nd January 2024, 11:07 PM | #4 |
Member
Join Date: May 2017
Location: France
Posts: 173
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Thanks for the information and the additional picture! This type of blades is also illustrated in the Encyclopédie. I wonder if there is some info online or in a book about this specific style of hilt
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3rd January 2024, 12:28 PM | #5 |
Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Tyneside. North-East England
Posts: 517
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sword hilts
Matthew Boulton's company published an illustrated catalogue showing all the sword-hilts he offered.
It is an extremely extensive selection of very detailed drawings. Unfortunately, I do not have/or can no longer locate, my copy of this catalogue. My hard-drive is packed with research material and every time I attempt to tidy it up I seem to hide some things... sorry. I will have found it on-line so I am sure you will be able too also. In a nut-shell: Boulton was a Birmingham metal-works producer offering everything from buttons to candlesticks and was even minting money for the Crown at his Soho Mint. He was partnered with James Watt of steam engine fame. |
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