November 7-8, 2018 Edged Weapons, Armor, & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/8/2018
This petite colonial 18th century child's sword is of diminutive proportions, only measuring 24" overall. Features a triangular tapered steel blade with concave faces, the back side with a deep fuller. Hilt of solid silver and marked with a small star over "GW" on the knucklebow's left side near where it meets the pommel. This is the touchmark of an unrecorded American silversmith. A nearly identical child's small sword is shown on page 94 of "Silver Mounted Swords" by Daniel D. Hartzler. An early 18th century painting at Colonial Williamsburg of an American group visiting England shows a young child wearing a very similar silver small sword. The hilt only measures 5" and features a tightly wrapped grip of silver wire with braided ferrules at each end. CONDITION: Very good. Blade retains a dark patina with some minor surface rust. Hilt retains a mellowing patina with darker surface in protected areas. Guard is slightly loose. Silver hilted child's swords are very scarce, especially American made examples.