Smallsword

Date1722–1726

Mediumsteel, silver, wood, and iron with traces of gilding, with copper and silver wire

Dimensions97.2 × 80.6 cm (38 1/4 × 31 3/4 in.), 14 oz (weight)

ClassificationsArms and Armor

MarkingsParis charge mark 1722-1726, crowned "P," or "K" (town mark of 1726), "PR" within rectangular recess, all on reverse face of forward arm of hilt. Triangular recess with raised bird-shaped device on reverse of knuckle guard near upper terminal (this possibly Toulouse discharge mark, 1775-1781).

Credit LineThe John Woodman Higgins Armory Collection

Terms

Object number2014.340

DescriptionNarrow, acutely tapering plain steel blade of hollow-ground triangular section. Cast silver hilt with scrolling strapwork & radiating palmette motifs on punch-matted ground. Wood grip tapering to ends, alternately wrapped in iron & silver ribbon, between which are 2 sizes of twisted silver wire & 1 of copper. Silver wire "Turk's heads" at ends.

Hilt of Norman's type 112. Small bivalve shell guard. Tall, slightly baggy stool with stepped base, functional arms of hilt. Short rear quillon bent towards obverse shell, with swollen, leafy terminal. Opposed by flattish, C-shaped knuckle guard, swollen at middle where both faces decorated with running & scrolling strapwork. Terminal with leafy scroll, & plugs into base of pommel. This Norman's type 88, of oval section, egg-shaped, with slight taper to necked, molded base. At top is a flattish, integral button.
Label TextSince the Middle Ages, sword production has often been the result of a collaboration of various specialists. Some regions specialized in the production of blades. This was particularly common in the manufacture of smallswords, which often had foreign blades with locally made hilts of carved steel or fine metals such as silver, crafted by goldsmiths. A sword complete with scabbard could involve the additional services of a sheather, a girdler, and a furbisher who assembled the various elements and sold the set. Smallswords like this silver-hilted example were truly splendid fashion accessories when worn with a gentleman’s finery. The physical beauty of this weapon disguises its lethal qualities in the hands of an expert swordsman.ProvenanceNot known. Purchased by Museum from Ken Drake (Amityville, NY) on 31 March 1997. Collection transfer from Higgins Armory, January 2014.

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