Early 19th Century British Georgian Era Davies & Son Hanover London Court Small Sword With Ornate Clam Shell Hilt, Guard Chain & Scabbard. ED 2391 Sword

Early 19th Century British Georgian Era Davies & Son Hanover London Court Small Sword With Ornate Clam Shell Hilt, Guard Chain & Scabbard. ED 2391 ED 2391

The small sword or smallsword (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 Georgian era Court small sword (see pages 270 to 282 of Wither’s book ‘World Swords’ where many variants of small sword are illustrated and page 277 with a variant that has a chained guard and similar polished steel studs on the hilt is illustrated). It has an ornate steel hilt with cross guard clam shell mount. The hilt and clamshell are profusely mounted with polished steel studs. The guard is fitted with linked steel chain. The slim 31 ¾” triangular section blade is straight and undamaged with just small areas of age related staining. ¾ of the blade length is etched all around with foliate decoration. One blade flat is signed ‘Davies & Son Hanover St London W’ (Davies & Son were the great Mayfair tailoring firm operating at No. 19 Hanover Street between 1804 and 1979). The sword measures 38 ½” overall. It is complete with its original leather scabbard which has steel mounts and 2 hanging rings. The scabbard is intact with small areas of surface wear. The price for this attractive Court / Diplomatic small sword includes UK delivery. ED 2391

£595