Transitional Rapier/Smallsword with massive Hilt

Jim McDougall · 2nd February 2013, 08:45 PM

Apparantly there is a quite clouded history of these unique sword blades, as with the etymology of the term. It is claimed that the term is a French corruption of the name Konigsmark, but according to Aylward (1945) there is no record of the term 'colichmarde' in contemporary usage in either French or German. However more recently the Larousse 'Dictionaire Universalle' has the word 'Konigsmark' listed as a term for a type of German sword blade.

Even more perplexing is the presumed originator of the blade form, Count John Phillip von Konigsmark (1665-1694?), a Swedish noble known as a soldier of fortune, duellist and apparantly philanderer, which seems likely the root of his reputation as a duellist. He is believed to have been murdered in 1694 during a scandal in the Royal court in London.

Aylward notes that these blades seem to have passed out of fashion in the later part of the reign of George I, but believes this pertained more to civilian versions of these swords (c. 1720s) and they continued favored by military officers (George Washington had one). He states further that these are known into the 1790s, perhaps even later, as one he mentions has the cypher of George III, again military regulations do not specify any type of sword using this term.

Hope this might be helpful.

M ELEY · 3rd February 2013, 03:56 AM

Very nice smallsword! I've been wanting to pick one up with the colichmarde blade. These were even popular with naval officers, I'm told. I especially like the large 'fighting' hilt. The guard seems almost flat vs cupped and the large pas de' an (spelling!?) indicates pre-1800. I envy you!

templarnight · 3rd February 2013, 11:23 AM

Heres some pics of the legend.

Some sizes -

Total length - 117cm

Blade - 97.5cm, 3.9cm wide at Forte.

Shell Guard 11cm square

fernando · 3rd February 2013, 11:56 AM

A beautiuful mid-end XVIII century French sword, with a beautiful Solingen blade

.

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Jim McDougall · 3rd February 2013, 04:15 PM

The inscription looks like it is in French, and seems to be the name of a maker but a Solingen blade. Latter 18th century.

fernando · 3rd February 2013, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

The inscription looks like it is in French, and seems to be the name of a maker but a Solingen blade. Latter 18th century.

Like in post #7 ?

TimW · 4th February 2013, 07:23 AM

The back side says:

De la manufacture de la marque au ROISIN??? à Solingen = Of the manufacture of the brand ROISIN??? in Solingen

The other side seems to be referring to the owner, not the maker. In my opinion it states:

Marchand = dealer
Fournisseur ... = dealer / seller of materials

3rd February 2013, 11:23 AM	#3
templarnight Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 87	Heres some pics of the legend. Some sizes - Total length - 117cm Blade - 97.5cm, 3.9cm wide at Forte. Shell Guard 11cm square Attached Images

3rd February 2013, 11:56 AM	#4
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	A beautiuful mid-end XVIII century French sword, with a beautiful Solingen blade . . Attached Images

2nd February 2013, 08:45 PM	#1
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,281	Apparantly there is a quite clouded history of these unique sword blades, as with the etymology of the term. It is claimed that the term is a French corruption of the name Konigsmark, but according to Aylward (1945) there is no record of the term 'colichmarde' in contemporary usage in either French or German. However more recently the Larousse 'Dictionaire Universalle' has the word 'Konigsmark' listed as a term for a type of German sword blade. Even more perplexing is the presumed originator of the blade form, Count John Phillip von Konigsmark (1665-1694?), a Swedish noble known as a soldier of fortune, duellist and apparantly philanderer, which seems likely the root of his reputation as a duellist. He is believed to have been murdered in 1694 during a scandal in the Royal court in London. Aylward notes that these blades seem to have passed out of fashion in the later part of the reign of George I, but believes this pertained more to civilian versions of these swords (c. 1720s) and they continued favored by military officers (George Washington had one). He states further that these are known into the 1790s, perhaps even later, as one he mentions has the cypher of George III, again military regulations do not specify any type of sword using this term. Hope this might be helpful.

3rd February 2013, 03:56 AM	#2
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,156	Very nice smallsword! I've been wanting to pick one up with the colichmarde blade. These were even popular with naval officers, I'm told. I especially like the large 'fighting' hilt. The guard seems almost flat vs cupped and the large pas de' an (spelling!?) indicates pre-1800. I envy you!

3rd February 2013, 04:15 PM	#5
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,281	The inscription looks like it is in French, and seems to be the name of a maker but a Solingen blade. Latter 18th century.

4th February 2013, 07:23 AM	#7
TimW Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 54	The back side says: De la manufacture de la marque au ROISIN??? à Solingen = Of the manufacture of the brand ROISIN??? in Solingen The other side seems to be referring to the owner, not the maker. In my opinion it states: Marchand = dealer Fournisseur ... = dealer / seller of materials