An English Silver Hilted Small Sword with Boat Shell Guard by George Fayle of London Hallmarked for 1760 / 1761

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Price: £2,350

Ref: 52092422

Item Description

A fine English silver hilted smallsword by the London silversmith George Fayle mounted with a boat shell guard dating to the middle of 18th century. The boat shell  was one of the most robust guard designs adopted by the London small sword makers. This example is of solid form with boldly and finely executed gadrooning to the pommel, shell brim, knuckle bow, quillon terminals and ricasso. George Fayle was a prominent silver hilt maker and sword cutler in London born in 1734 in Lancashire and recorded in the City of London from 1747 until his death in 1786.

The full suite of hallmark stamps are on the pas d’ane rings comprised of the leopard’s head assay mark and the incomplete Royal lion passant mark of purity to the sterling standard for which only the rear end of the lion is visible. The maker’s mark is comprised of the letters “G F” with a star between in raised relief inside a depressed rectangle. The date mark is the stylised letter “E” for 1760 / 1761. The maker’s mark is repeated underneath the hilt where it is stamped near the back edge of the blade and at the other side the lion passant partly obscured by the blade shoulder.

The baluster shaped wooden grip is of rounded rectangular section diagonally bound with silver strip interspaced with a twisted roped wire flanked by thinner roped wires on each side. The grip is mounted with silver cap terminals top and bottom engraved with gadrooning. The sword 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.

The hollow ground triangular section blade is sharply tapering and in fine condition with minor blemishes and crisp engraving of a stand of arms in an oval, plus foliage and strapwork in panels at the forte. The blade is 31.5 inches long or 80 cm. The overall length is 37.75 inches or 96 cm.

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 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.

For further reading on George Fayle see Leslie Southwick, “London Silver-Hilted Swords”, Royal Armouries, 2001, pages 105 and 106. For an example of his work see Plate 68.