Colichemarde English smallsword

[mariusgmioc]

By William Kinman, 1772 retailed by Richard Clarke, No. 102 Cheapside, recorded c. 1741-1812.

[Jim McDougall]

"...a silver sword? well thou shalt have that too , now hast thou everything".
-VANBRUGH, 1705



This is a beautiful example of small sword by William Kinman of London, of 8
Snow Hill, Holborn Cross Precinct, London, who seems to have been quite prolific and important in precious metal hilts and guilds and associations.

The four key markings here are placed on the vestigial pas d'ane rings, as the practice by 1770s and earlier.
In Aylward (1945, fig. 46) a silver hilt remarkably similar in all its features is shown , by John Fayle, Fleet St. in diamante work ( with facets and bead work).
Aylward remarks( p.75) that this sword may well have been such a weapon that the character Capt. Absolute was hiding under his cloak, in the play "The Rivals" by Sheridan produced the same year , 1775.
Perhaps the fashion was at least present already by 1772.

A great deal of history, elegance and fashion, yet still a most deadly weapon.

[urbanspaceman]

A beautiful piece of work.
Where did the information come from regarding the retailer?
Do you, by chance, happen to know the price?

I have seen one missive from the mid. 1700s where a chap complains:
"...can't get a handsome sword for £5 or £6, so have ventured to £8 lOs .... ".
That is a retail price of over £2,000 today, but a lot more in the relative cost of manual labour.

The hallmarks on my WK boat-shell colichemarde (posted in an earlier thread) show: WK; Lion; Leopard; ?. I can't make out the date mark.

[mariusgmioc]

Originally Posted by urbanspaceman

Where did the information come from regarding the retailer?
Do you, by chance, happen to know the price?

The hallmarks on my WK boat-shell colichemarde (posted in an earlier thread) show: WK; Lion; Leopard; ?

The retailer name is marked on the scabbard (see photo). Unfortunately I don't remember the price and I didn't keep the invoice.

The lion (see photo) stands for sterling silver, while the crowned leopard is the mark of the London Assay Office.

[urbanspaceman]

Didn't keep the receipt? How can you return it if it gets bent?

[Will M]

Very nice sword, I've been admiring this type lately. Don't ask the price and you won't get those answers.

[urbanspaceman]

Originally Posted by Will M

Very nice sword, I've been admiring this type lately. Don't ask the price and you won't get those answers.

Marius and I were having a joke between us.
It was the original price paid - when new - I was interested in.
Marius understood that; you obviously didn't.
My inclusion of the mid.18th century missive, and his inclusion of the smiley emotive, should have made that clear.
Nobody cares how much Marius paid for it; and if they did, it would be impertinent to ask.

[Will M]

I totally agree!!

[mariusgmioc]

All said and done, I have no issue disclosing the price... providing I can still remember it, and in this case I found it in my purchase log on the Saleroom website.
It was 1500 GBP (hammer price) + charges, and I got it from Bonhams, on 27 November 2019.

Now I have a question of my own: why would be rude to ask about the price?!

I noticed on multiple occasions that asking about the price of an item was somehow considered "tabu" subject but I do not understand why?!

[fernando]

One thing you should understand is that discussion of prices is better expanded by means of private message; not in discussion forums.

[urbanspaceman]

Originally Posted by fernando

One thing you should understand is that discussion of prices is better expanded by means of private message; not in discussion forums.

OK, I'll try one last time: Marius indicated the retailer and - with tongue in cheek - I asked if he knew the price also: THE PRICE IN THE 1700s, NOT TODAY'S PRICE.
Marius understood the humour and told me he had lost the receipt...
it was a joke between us.

[M ELEY]

[fernando]