May 17, 2022 Early Arms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/17/2022
This early 18th century small sword displays the art of the premiere European swordmakers. The triangular blade has a deep center fuller on the back. Both sides inscribed in French, translating to "By the swordmaker to the King" and his Paris address. The iron hilt features a chased and gilded clamshell guard, decorated on both sides with detailed foliate and military motifs on a stippled and gilded ground. Large pas d'ane rings, knucklebow, and quillon are all chased with floral, shell and foliate motifs. The pommel is also chased with panoplies of arms. Rectangular grip is wrapped with bands of copper and braided copper wire. CONDITION: Blade with crisp inscriptions and engraving with grey even patina, a couple minor nicks to edges. Hilt is tight to blade. Hilt retains much of original gilt and shows only minor wear to high relief designs on pommel and knucklebow. Hilt retains a dark patina. A very high quality officer's small sword. DMG