cartouche

[urbanspaceman]

it is a large hilt as well, hence the deceptive proportions

[urbanspaceman]

maybe that is an ampersand third from the right?

[urbanspaceman]

this picture shows the proportions more accurately

[urbanspaceman]

The blade is a flattened lozenge. With regard to a triangular blade: what confuses the eye is a soft flat along its length from the bottom of the engraving which is almost a gentle groove.
I considered the lower lettering as one word as it is joined at the base whereas the lettering of Simon has a separated O; equally, if it is an ampersand then the join-up is not relevant. All seems possible, and has always confused me.

[urbanspaceman]

Now this is where I also get confused: it is unquestionably a smallsword hilt (see pic) but that style of blade has always suggested rapier to me.
The sword is too late to fit into the chronological transition period i.e. first half of the 17thC but I assumed a rapier like blade and a smallsword hilt was generically labelled a transitional rapier.
I have two swords, both with old rapier blades and new court-sword hilts that are equally confusing to me.
I've also included n enlargement of the motto.

[mariusgmioc]

While most frequently smallswords had hollow triangular blades, diamond and flattened hexagonal blades were also common.

[fernando]

Beautiful sword.
Amazing thing; it never occurs to me calling these, and the like, rapier blades ... independently of their proportions. I take it those are a different universe .

[mariusgmioc]

Originally Posted by fernando

Beautiful sword.
Amazing thing; it never occurs to me calling these, and the like, rapier blades ... independently of their proportions. I take it those are a different universe .

Because they are not "rapier blades"...

The rapier is defined by both the blade and the hilt... or at least for me.

[urbanspaceman]

Reference Marius: yes, when Shotley Bridge began work in 1687 the smallswords they initially produced were all narrow broadsword blades (see pic). They were actually all Solingen manufacture and smuggled in by Mohll in 1687 to get the business up and running. This is why the most closely associated swords of Shotley Bridge had the Passau Wolf (not the Bushy Tailed Fox: that came a couple of years later) and the lettering Shotle(Y) and Bridg(E). All very confusing which was what was intended. The lettering was added because otherwise everyone would naturally assume - having a Passau Wolf - that they were Solingen manufacture and not the new 'Hollow Sword Blade Company's' output.
Incidentally: broadsword bladed smallswords were first choice of Scotsmen as they were unhappy with the weight and lack of cutting edges of the new trefoil blades. Shotley Bridge is walking distance from Scotland.
The smallsword pic below is a stock reference image from our local museum: hence the poor resolution and lack of markings; but I have handled it and it has a Passau Wolf and SHOTLEY and BRIDG which dates it to 1687 -1690.

[urbanspaceman]

Originally Posted by fernando

Beautiful sword.
I take it those are a different universe .

Yes, Fernando, I only visit this planet occasionally.

[urbanspaceman]

Originally Posted by fernando

Beautiful sword.
Amazing thing; it never occurs to me calling these, and the like, rapier blades ... independently of their proportions. I take it those are a different universe .

Hi Fernando. I assumed this was a reference to my online name i.e. Urbanspaceman.
The world of 'Militaria' and etc does appear like an alien planet on frequent occasions; present company excepted of course.