C1780 English Form Silver Plated Hilt Mourning Small Sword Swords

C1780 English Form Silver Plated Hilt Mourning Small Sword. ED 2595 - ED 2595

The small sword (also court sword, French: épée de cour or dress sword) is a light one-handed sword designed for thrusting which evolved out of the longer and heavier rapier of the late Renaissance. The height of the small sword's popularity was between mid 17th and late 18th century. It is thought to have appeared in France and spread quickly across the rest of Europe. The small sword was the immediate predecessor of the French dueling sword (from which the épée developed. The Mourning Sword was used on occasions of ceremonial mourning and has also been known as the Black Sword and the Lenten Sword. This is an excellent original C1780 mourning small sword (see pages 271 of Wither’s book ‘World Swords’ for similar examples). It has a silver plated hilt with foliate decorated shell guard and knuckle bow. The urn shaped pommel has a ball top. The slim 29 ½” flat diamond section blade is straight and undamaged and has staining consistent with age. One side of the blade near to the hilt has what appears to be very small indistinct lettering which can be seen in image 1. The sword measures 36 ¾” overall. As is common our example is without scabbard. The price for this attractive small sword includes UK delivery. ED 2595

£795.00