An early 18th century English Silver Hilted Officer’s Small Sword by John Carman (I) of London

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Price: £1,300

Ref: 30.22

Item Description

An elegant early 18th century English silver hilted small sword mounted with a single edged blade of military type. The hilt is by the London silversmith and cutler John Carman (I).

The hilt is of the early plain form which replaced the rapier in the late 17th century. The hilt consists of a convex double shell guard with a boldly moulded strengthened brim. The ricasso is of rounded rectangular section from which the quillon and knucklebow extend from the top and the d’ane rings which  terminate between the juncture of the two shells.  The knuckle bow terminates in a swollen finial with a hook which is tucked into an aperture in the pommel to secure the structure. The oval shaped pommel has an integral waisted button on top and neck beneath. The baluster shaped grip is of rectangular section and wrapped with plaited silver wire and mounted with woven silver wire “Turks Heads” top and bottom.

Th single edged tapering blade is 29 inches (74 cm long), has short ricasso and a shallow central fuller which extends 7 inches (18 cm) from the hilt after which two narrower fullers extend underneath the spine almost to the blade tip.

The maker’s mark consists of a single stamp consisting of the letters “I C” with a five pointed star above and a dot below in raised relief inside a depressed panel. The mark is recorded in Arthur G Grimwade, “London Goldsmiths 1697 – 1837 Their Marks and Lives”, Faber & Faber 1976, page 92, mark 1190. The mark is stamped into the brim of one of the shell guards and into the knuckle bow on one side.

The first John Carman is recorded as an apprentice of another London based silver hilted sword maker, Thomas Vicaridge, and on completion of his apprenticeship was admitted to the freedom of the Cutlers’ Company on 19th April 1716, He was dead by 1743 and was succeeded in his business by his son John Carman (II).

The overall length of the sword is just over 36 inches (91.5 cm). The hilt is sturdy and has maintained its pleasing shape. There is a small dent at the top of the pommel near the button. The blade has a mottled blackened patination in parts and has slight damage near the tip.