I have been looking into these two smallswords further, I completely agree with Manuels assessment, and was intrigued by those faceted neoclassic pommels. In "The Smallsword in England" (J.Aylward, 1945, pp.59-64) there is interesting discussion concerning the smallsword rather in decline from between 1775-1785, but it is noted that "...an exception, however, must be made in favor of the cut steel hilts of about 1780, for some of them are not only as charming in thier simplicity as the hilts of the Queen Anne period, but the swords themselves are well designed, beautifully balanced, and absolutely efficient weapons".
The reason I looked into the Aylward reference was to discover more on the faceted pommel on these swords, and found discussion on Mathew Boulton, the innovative Birmingham man who promoted mass production of hilts (and was also the associate of James Watt in developing the steam engine). On p.60, it is noted that his "...cut steel, inlaid steel and faceted steel hilts seem to belong mainly to the period of his partnership with John Fothergill (1762-1781)". In Aylward fig. 29, Boulton's pattern book c.1760-80 shows hilts with crosshatched pommels as seen with these faceted examples.
On p.63, the very simple hilts of the latter 18th century are described mentioning again the use of facets in cut steel, and "...the former double shells of butterfly pattern have coalesced and become a single oval plate rather larger in diameter than the older style of shells, the ricassi are meagre, and the pas d'ane now consist of two rudimentary projections or else of two small half rings connected with the quillons by a little bar".
One of the key issues in identifying English smallswords, was the makers "...regrettable reluctance to inscribe his name upon his work", so that with scabbards gone, the makers are unknown. Boulton was a manufacturer of plate and steel articles, not a cutler, and it is well known that most blades were likely imported. He is thought to have made some silver hilts, which would have borne the marks he placed on his silver plate, but none of the hilts so marked are known.
I would suggest that these two interesting smallswords may well be from the 'Boulton parish' (as Aylward terms the Boulton enterprises) and as seems to be the case, unmarked, probably about c.1780, interestly corresponding with the example sword noted by Manuel (Nuemann, 224.S, p.136). This sword with scalloped oval shell and facetted urn type pommel, may be from the same general shops in the same period, which may have extended as noted to about 1790.
"...as far as England is concerned, it might as well be said that the strokes of Paul's great bell, ushering in the 19th century, at one and the same moment tolled the knell of the small sword".
Aylward, p.64
All best regards,
Jim
|