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#1 |
Member
Join Date: Sep 2021
Location: New Zealand
Posts: 251
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This is my second smallsword. Described as an English silver hilt smallsword c.1770 it, unfortunately, has no discernable silver hallmarks. I haven't had it tested for silver, but it isn't magnetic.
The blade is hollow ground triangular cross-section without a makers mark. It is decorated with a mix of etching and engraving on the forte of the blade. Regrettably, the blade has a slight warp to it. LOA: 922mm Blade: 763mm Weight: 330grams POB: 80mm Would welcome any feedback on the style possible maker. |
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#2 |
Lead Moderator European Armoury
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Portugal
Posts: 9,694
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Beautiful
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#3 |
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Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Austria
Posts: 1,903
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Yep, English, from the end of 18th centrury would be my guess (maybe contemporary to mine so the estimate of 1770 seems reasonably correct).
I would still look for the silver marks as English silversmiths were pretty thorough with their markings (see for example the arrow in the photo). Very nice piece. ![]() |
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#4 |
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Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 403
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If it's English and silver it should be hallmarked. It was (and still is) a legal requirement. Even the 2" blade of a fruit knife would be marked. It is almost impossible for something like this to be made of silver in England and not be marked.
Regards Richard Last edited by Richard G; 9th September 2021 at 03:28 PM. |
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#5 |
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Join Date: Sep 2021
Location: New Zealand
Posts: 251
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Thanks for the replies.
Mariusgmioc, unfortunately, that is part of the decoration. Richard, was there an obligation to display the hallmark? Could it be covered by another part of the guard? Thanks Bas |
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#6 |
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Join Date: Sep 2021
Location: New Zealand
Posts: 251
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This is the closest I could find to what might be a hallmark.
Located at the top of the knuckle bow where it joins the annelet. The other photo is for comparison for the detail that is on the obverse side. |
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#7 |
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Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 251
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What I find funny is that initially, the point of this style of decoration was that the owner was able to pay for the time of somebody cutting tiny parts of hard steel and put them together.
If it is made of silver this effort is something else. Now, the point is in the value of the material. |
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#8 | |
Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 403
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Hall marking of silver in the UK has been ongoing for 700 yrs. It is ingrained in the culture to the extent anything not hall marked is viewed with distinct suspicion. Indeed, the suspicion I'm displaying now! Regards Richard |
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