Excavated Small Sword For Comment

Jim McDougall · 22nd June 2014, 07:22 PM

Thank you for adding this interesting smallsword Dana, we don't see many smallswords these days and they are a fascinating field which is highly specialized. This is also intriguing for the rather unusually intact condition considering its excavated classification, and the circumstances of its deposit would be most interesting.

I would point out that the 'cup' in this case would be in my opinion better termed a bilobate shellguard, and these in variation were well known in Europe from the 17th century and 'Walloons ' as well as other hilt forms which evolved into these smallswords by the 18th century.

It would be difficult to determine without markings or intact grip and decoration specifically which country this might be from, as the style as well as often even components were widely diffused. It would seem to be of probably mid 18th century as a speculative benchmark. Naturally, the provenance would be helpful as well, naturally with consideration for noted circumstances of discovery gauged accordingly .

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22nd June 2014, 07:22 PM	#2
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,192	Thank you for adding this interesting smallsword Dana, we don't see many smallswords these days and they are a fascinating field which is highly specialized. This is also intriguing for the rather unusually intact condition considering its excavated classification, and the circumstances of its deposit would be most interesting. I would point out that the 'cup' in this case would be in my opinion better termed a bilobate shellguard, and these in variation were well known in Europe from the 17th century and 'Walloons ' as well as other hilt forms which evolved into these smallswords by the 18th century. It would be difficult to determine without markings or intact grip and decoration specifically which country this might be from, as the style as well as often even components were widely diffused. It would seem to be of probably mid 18th century as a speculative benchmark. Naturally, the provenance would be helpful as well, naturally with consideration for noted circumstances of discovery gauged accordingly .