An English Boat Shell Silver Hilted Small Sword with its Scabbard mounted with a French Trophy Blade by William Kinman London Hallmarked for 1767 / 1768

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Price: £2,550

Ref: 52120342

Item Description

An attractive English silver hilted smallsword mounted with a Boat Shell guard by the renowned 18th century London silversmith and cutler William Kinman, date  stamped for 1767 / 1768. The sword is mounted with a French trophy blade embellished with blue and gilt designs and retains its silver mounted scabbard. The Seven Years’ War, known as the French and Indian War in North America, was fought between Britain and its allies against a French coalition and ended with the defeat of France in 1763 which changed the European order. It is likely that the blade was a trophy taken from the War by a British officer and  mounted in London with a silver hilt a few years after the war ended.

Kinman’s work, together with a few of his contemporaries, represents the highest standard of English silver craftsmanship of the time as is to be seen in the hilt of this sword. The dish guard with its thickened brim, pommel, knuckle bow and quillons are boldly formed with gadrooned designs and moulded borders.

The baluster shaped wooden grip is of rounded rectangular section bound with twisted silver wire and mounted with silver cap terminals top and bottom engraved with gadrooning. The hilt is as much an example of the high standards of design and execution required of the 18th century London silversmith as it is as an effective weapon maker. Silver hilted small swords were fashionable attire for 18th century gentlemen. Mostly worn for effect as a show of wealth and taste, someone wearing such a sword at the time was also announcing to the world that he could use it, and was at risk of being invited to do so. Despite the stylish and delicate appearance of these swords they were formidable dueling weapons.

The fine quality, triangular section, stiff, hollow ground, slender blade is delicately etched and engraved along its three sides almost to the tip with floral scrolls, sprays and panels enhanced by blue and gilt highlights for the first quarter of its length. A gilt stand of arms inside a panel is present on the  three sides at the forte, probably indicating a military connection with the original owner. A gilt strip along the wider blade section near the hilt is inlaid with: L.  HONNEUR  ME  FAIT  SERVIR which translates to HONOR  CAUSES   ME TO  SERVE which further indicates that the original owner was probably a French officer. The scabbard has a wooden core wrapped with vellum and retains its silver mounts.

The maker’s mark is present on the underside of the guard near the blade. On the opposite side the assay mark is worn away. The knuckle bow shows the usual range of Sterling Silver hallmarks including the date letter stamp, leopard and lion as well as the maker’s mark now worn. The scabbard mounts are stamped with Britannia silver standard marks. The blade is just over 31 inches (79 cm) long and overall the sword is 37 inches (94 cm) long.

William Kinman was one of the most influential and preeminent makers of silver hilted swords working in London in the third quarter of the 18th century. He 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. Kinman was born in 1728 and was sworn free of the Founders’ Company in 1750, when presumably he started to make swords in his own name and was admitted to livery in 1757. Kinman entered his first mark (W.K in raised relief inside a depressed panel) at Goldsmiths’ Hall in 1759 (Grimwade 1990 reference 3210). William Kinman was at his most prominent in the earlier 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 contemporary silver hilted swords by William Kinman and other notable London makers see Leslie Southwick, “London Silver-Hilted Swords”, Royal Armouries, 2001. And for further information on Kinman’s life of see pages 159 and 160.