Silver Hilted Small Sword by William Kinman of London Hallmarked for 1762 / 1763 mounted with a Boat Shell Guard and Colichemarde Blade

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Price: £1,950

Ref: 42070484

Item Description

A fine smallsword by the renowned 18^th century London silversmith and cutler William Kinman, date-stamped for 1762 / 1763. The bold hilt is of boat shell type which was one of the most robust hilt designs adopted by the London silver hilted sword makers. The sword is mounted with a broad colichemarde blade. 

William Kinman’s work represents the highest standards of English silver craftsmanship of the time as is to be seen in the hilt of this sword. The dish guard, pommel and ricasso are engraved en suite with well executed gadrooned lines and borders. The baluster shaped wooden grip is diagonally bound with silver strip interspaced with a double length of roped silver wire.

The hallmarks are of small type stamped into the Pas D’Ane rings. These  consist of the maker’s mark “W K” in raised relief inside a depressed irregular panel, with a pellet between the letters, together with the lion passant mark on one ring, and the crowned leopard’s head assay mark and date stamp on the other. 

The hilt is as much an example of the high standards of design and execution required of the 18th century London silversmith and cutler as it is of an effective weapon. Silver hilted small swords were fashionable attire for 18th century gentlemen. Mostly worn for effect, someone wearing such a sword was also announcing to the world that he could use it. Despite the stylish and delicate appearance of these swords they were formidable dueling weapons. The plain, triangular section, stiff, hollow ground, colichemarde blade has a grey  uncleaned patina all over. 

The sword is in fine condition overall with some light salt and pepper pitting to the blade. There are no losses or repairs to the hilt which has maintained its original pleasing outline. The blade is 32.75 inches (83 cm) long and overall the sword is 39 inches (99 cm) long.

William Kinman was one of the most influential and foremost makers of silver hilted swords working in London in the third quarter of the 18^th century and made swords for the London social and military elites. He was a leading member of the Founders’ Company of London and served in all the major offices of the guild including Master. He was born in 1728 and was sworn free of the Founders’ Company in 1750, when presumably he started to make silver hilted swords under his own name and was admitted to livery in 1757. He entered his first mark at Goldsmiths’ Hall in 1759 (Grimwade 1990 reference 3210) which is Kinman’s mark on this sword. William Kinman was at his most prominent in the early part of his career, when this sword was made, later becoming bankrupt due to the failure of a founding business he was involved in.

For other silver hilted small swords by William Kinman see Leslie Southwick, “London Silver-hilted Swords”, Royal Armouries, 2001, and for further information on his working life of see pages 159 – 160.