Early 1800’s English Or French Court / Diplomatic Small Sword With Etched Blade Sword

Early 1800’s English Or French Court / Diplomatic Small Sword With Etched Blade. ED 2363 - ED 2363

The small sword (also court sword, French: épée de cour or dress sword) is a light one-handed sword designed for thrusting which 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 small sword was the immediate predecessor of the French duelling sword (from which the épée developed. This is an excellent original Circa early 1800’s Court / Diplomatic small sword (see pages 270 to 282 of Wither’s book ‘World Swords’ where many variants of small sword are illustrated. It has a copper wire bound hilt, with pierced finger guard and knuckle bow. The pommel is urn shaped. The slim 32 ¼”” blade is straight and undamaged and has just staining consistent with age. The staining obscures the blade’s foliate decoration which covers the whole of the blade. The sword measures 39 ½” overall. As is common our example is without scabbard. The price for this attractive Court / Diplomatic small sword includes UK delivery. ED 2363

£595.00