A Fine French Silver Hilted Small Sword dating to circa 1760

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Price: £1,980

Ref: 42070485

Item Description

A fine French silver hilted small sword dating to the years preceding the French Revolution. It is a nicely balanced example mounted with a double shell guard hilt and a hollow ground triangular section blade engraved with foliate towards the hilt. The sword is an example of the high standards of design and manufacture required of the 18th century French silversmith by the French nobility, as well as an example of one of the most effective duelling weapons of the late 17th and 18th centuries at its peak of development.  Unusually the sword retains its original scabbard complete with its mounts.

The double shell guard is skillfully chiselled in raised relief with floral sprays, foliage, tendrils and panels. Each shell both on the convex and concave sides is engraved with a leafy foliate border. Each is centred with an oval panel containing stands of arms and sprays of flowers surrounded by delicate pierced lattices of flower heads.

The ecusson, pas d’ane rings, knuckle bow, quillon and pommel are decorated in the same sumptuous manner with leafy foliate designs and stands of arms.  The designs attest to the martial stature of the owner, most likely a member of the military, whilst simultaneously announcing his cultural and artistic merits. This balance of qualities was important to achieve success and standing at the French court of pre-Revolutionary France.

The grip consists of a wooden rounded rectangular section baluster-shaped core spirally wrapped with bands of flat silver strip separated by contra twisted roped silver wire and mounted with silver woven “Turk’s Heads” top and bottom. The stiff blade tapers acutely to its point and is enhanced with engraved panels of foliate scrolls near the hilt on both sides.

The scabbard is formed from a wooden core covered with doeskin stitched along the entire length. The three mounts are original and the mouthpiece is engraved with a stand of arms same as those on the hilt. The initials “J A” are stippled onto the back of the mouthpiece.

Condition: the sword and scabbard are in fine condition overall. The hilt and grip show little wear. The hilt retains its original pleasing shape,  there are no repairs or damage and the engraving is crisp. There is slight blackened age staining to a few small parts of the blade, which is straight and undamaged.  The sword is well balanced in hand.

The blade is 32.75 inches (83 cm) long and overall the sword is 39 inches (99  cm) long.