The French used the half guards in the second quarter of the 18th century and the manufacture as just a half is generally regarded as a cost saving measure. Used both for land and sea ventures, curved and straight blades.
Gilkerson's
Boarder's Away shows three likely cousins but all with full guards. The British example circa 1742 has a spiral/fluted grip such as this. There is a Swedish example and curved French example, Again, those three all full guards.
Neumann's
Swords and Blades of the American Revolution figure 54s shows a half hilt French example. I also own a half hilt and have been in discourse with a Canadian that produces these new, as well as owning a very close sister to my own example. I am listing his references along with this above but would not say France was the only source of these purposefully manufactured half hilts.
Pétard: 2005, fig.71
Pétard: 1977
Neumann: 1991, fig. 54.S
Brassard: 2002
Chartrand: 1984, fig. 29
Brain, Jeffrey P., Tunica Treasure, Peabody Museum, Harvard, 1979, 329 p
Chartrand, René, The French Soldier in Colonial America, Museum Restoration Service, Ottawa, 1984, 40 p.
Chartrand, René, Louis XV's Army (5) Colonial and Naval Troops, Men-at-Arms 313, Osprey Publishings, Oxford UK, 1998, 48 p.
Diderot (dir.). L’Encyclopédie, planches du ceinturier-boursier, 1751-1777
Pétard, Michel, Les équipements militaires de 1600 à 1870, t. I (de 1600 à 1750), chez l’auteur, Nantes, 1984, 117 p.
Proulx, Gilles, Étude sur le costume militaire a Louisbourg: 1713-1758, rapport H-F17R, Forteresse-de-Louisbourg, Parcs Canada, 1971
Pétard, Michel, Les équipements militaires de 1600 à 1870, t. II (de 1750 à 1789), chez l’auteur, Nantes, 1985, 95 p.
La Porterie, Institutions Militaires pour la Cavalerie et les Dragons, Guillyn, Paris, 1754.
David Ledoyen, At the Royal Sword |
info@theroyalsword.com |
Tel. : 514-522-3108
2538 rue Cuvillier, Montréal (Québec) CANADA H1W 3B1
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My files always in a bit of disarray but I do have the two specific mentioned in one spot while my own stowed away right now. These are both of the straight blade variety and both once had wire with no fluting to the grip.
I point these out but location of recovery must be considered and similarities to other nation's cutlery but to my knowledge, the half hilts usually turn out to be French. A handful more just like mine have turned up on Ebay but they are not everyday listings. Few and far between. Keep in mind now on the net the reproductions from David's source and business. Those are visually correct to originals.
Cheers
GC
having an issue with uploads but will try to get the second sword up. This post shows my piece