Corpse carrier sword 19thc Austro-Hungary and mourning swords

M ELEY · 20th July 2025, 11:28 PM

Here's my one and only smallsword from my collection. Although not naval per sae, Annis & May mention Spanish sea captains being partial to smallswords. In any case, althoug 'dainty', mine has the correct design pattern for a 'real' smallsword, including knuckle bow, pas d'ane, bilobate guard, etc. The blade is a trifoil, very sharp with no markings. I used to think this Plain Jane might just be an American knock-off of its fancier Euro cousins, but with the balckened hilt and blade, I'm now suspecting this to be an earlier 18th c. mourning smallsword? The grip wrap is a replacement that someone darkened to match the sword. I think you are right, Jim, that these still were functional pieces for un-dress occasions. Now if I'm wrong, folks, let me know as I am no expert on smallswords-

20th July 2025, 11:28 PM	#9
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,196	Mourning sword? Here's my one and only smallsword from my collection. Although not naval per sae, Annis & May mention Spanish sea captains being partial to smallswords. In any case, althoug 'dainty', mine has the correct design pattern for a 'real' smallsword, including knuckle bow, pas d'ane, bilobate guard, etc. The blade is a trifoil, very sharp with no markings. I used to think this Plain Jane might just be an American knock-off of its fancier Euro cousins, but with the balckened hilt and blade, I'm now suspecting this to be an earlier 18th c. mourning smallsword? The grip wrap is a replacement that someone darkened to match the sword. I think you are right, Jim, that these still were functional pieces for un-dress occasions. Now if I'm wrong, folks, let me know as I am no expert on smallswords- Attached Images