My first smallsword

[Yvain]

Hi all!


After some years collecting only extra-european weapons, I'm venturing back to my home continent. Indeed, I recently gained an interest for smallswords, and managed to win this one in a small auction.


From my initial research, I think it might be French, around 1770.


I find it interesting that it doesn't have the usual pas d'âne and shell guard, but instead a simple loop hilt ; it seems to have been a somewhat popular style at the end of the 18th century. While smallswords are usually associated with a lavish ornamentation, I really like this more simple cut steel style.


Here is a somewhat similar sword from the Royal Armouries collections : https://royalarmouries.org/collectio...t/object-49937