Smallsword hilted Spadroon

[Jim McDougall]

Interestingly, the diffusion of these classical styled hilts was widespread with the popularity and presumption of fashion and style in the upper echelons. Returning to the British officers brass hilt half basket I previously described of 1765, I recall having found a similar example shown in Stone, p.151, fig. 2 and remarkably listed as a broadsword, 'Italian 17th c.'!!!!
While we know this venerable work has numerous errors as may be expected with such a comprehensive scope, this seems almost too blatant to have been one. Yet perhaps the suggestion of the melding of these classic forms through fashion oriented channels may have simply misdated the period, and such hilts indeed been found in Italian context, but with possibly a British officer? Despite the fact that these, as were all British cavalry swords of the mid to latter 18th c., were backswords, not broadswords, this one seems to have found its way into Stones 'broadsword' grouping, most likely for the 'basket' type hilt.

Did not mean to derail the thread here, but wanted to readdress the 'classical' styling in English hilts of latter 18th century and amalgamation of Continental features.

[Dmitry]

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

Actually, once again. I might have better worded my comment. Rather than French 'supplying' blades for British officers swords in 1780, perhaps it may have been better to say....French marked blades existed on some British swords in the period around 1780. Obviously the Revolution in America in which the French were virtually allied with the colonists would have discouraged such trade.

Jim, I would say that at that time there was no blade trade between France and England to speak of; the sword you had probably was mounted with a captured French blade. I have seen examples of that nature, and own one. That practice went both ways. One can find French Revolutionary and Napoleonic periods officers' swords with English blades as well. Either variants are not very common, but if one applies oneself, they can be found.

[Jim McDougall]

Originally Posted by Dmitry

Jim, I would say that at that time there was no blade trade between France and England to speak of; the sword you had probably was mounted with a captured French blade. I have seen examples of that nature, and own one. That practice went both ways. One can find French Revolutionary and Napoleonic periods officers' swords with English blades as well. Either variants are not very common, but if one applies oneself, they can be found.

Very much agree Dmitry, no commercial trade of blades, but perhaps the 'social' venues and even the fraternal such as Masonic and orders which transcended political and often even religious boundaries could account for such blade anomalies. At the time I had the sword I described I virtually had no idea how unusual it was for a French blade to be in a British sword.

With Norman's sword this unusual and presumably French blade seems to represent well this kind of diffusion, in this case a classical style hilt of elegant fashion known in England but apparantly in Dutch context. If only this were a silver hilt we would have marks, but being brass it is hard to say.

These kinds of hybrids are always fascinating, and wish we would see more posted here. If I find photos of the one I had I will definitely post them....geez I wish I hadnt sold it!!!!