C1750 French Form Court / Diplomatic Rapier Sword With Ornate Cast Brass Hilt & Original Brass Mounted Leather Scabbard. Sn 22657 Sword

C1750 French Form Court / Diplomatic Rapier Sword With Ornate Cast Brass Hilt & Original Brass Mounted Leather Scabbard. Sn 22657

The court sword, French: épée de cour or dress sword) evolved out of the longer and heavier rapier of the late Renaissance. The height of the small sword's popularity was between mid 17th and late 18th century. It is thought to have appeared in France and spread quickly across the rest of Europe. The court sword was the immediate predecessor of the French duelling sword from which the épée developed (see pages 270 to 282 of Wither’s book ‘World Swords’ where many variants of small & Court / diplomatic swords are illustrated). This is an original Circa 1750 Diplomatic court sword in French form. It has a cast brass hilt decorated with Ornate, cast floral and scroll motifs. The Knuckle bow and side ring quillons typical of diplomatic court swords. The egg-shaped pommel is decorated with relief designs. Its solid grip with intricate repoussé work rather than wire wrap and decoration to one side of the knuckle guard only suggests ceremonial or dress use. The slim 31 ¾” rapier type blade is fullered blade and undamaged and has just staining consistent with age. (38 ¼” overall). The blade has what looks like French inspection marks on both sides near to the hilt and one side has faint indistinct French style signature most likely that of the maker. The sword has its original Brass mounted leather scabbard. The throat mount has a frog locket and the long external chape has a decorative finial. The price for this attractive Court / Diplomatic sword worthy of further research includes UK delivery. Sn 22657

£425.00