A Fine English Silver Hilted Small Sword with London Hallmarks for 1767 / 1768 stamped with the maker’s initials “A I”
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Price: £1,950
Ref: 42070486
Item Description
A fine English silver hilted small sword with London hallmarks for 1767 / 1768 stamped onto the knucklebow including the initials of the hilt maker “AI” . The hilt is mounted with an oval shaped dish guard with a reinforced and crescented rim which is exquisitely pierced and engraved with swirling scrolls and sprays which form the main design theme. This design pattern is common to the pommel, ricasso and knucklebow, which attests to the originality and homogeneity of the parts.
The sword is well-balanced and mounted with a hollow ground triangular section blade which is in good condition and retains its original decorative engraving on its three sides near the hilt. The baluster shaped grip is covered with spirally wrapped silver riband separated by two counter-facing threads of silver bordered by thinner threads. Silver cap terminals are present top and bottom of the grip engraved with scallops. The sword is in fine condition the silver hilt having retained its original pleasing profile without damage or repair.
The knucklebow is stamped with the leopard’s head standard mark, the lion passant Assay Office mark, date stamp and the maker’s mark of “A I”. So far the hilt maker has not been identified.
The hilt is a fine example of the high standards of design and execution required of the 18th century London silversmith as well as an example of one of the most effective dueling weapons of the 17th and 18th centuries.
For further examples of London-made silver hilted swords see Leslie Southwick’s “London Silver-Hilted Swords”, their makers, suppliers and allied traders, with directory, 2001, Royal Armouries.
The blade is just over 32.5 inches (82.5 cm) long and the overall the sword is 39.25 inches (99.5 cm) long.
