Antique Floral-hilted Smallsword
Original: Circa 1730
The smallsword was a weapon that would have been at the hip of every gentleman of the 18th century. A gentleman would have been brought up with a proper education in multiple aspects so as to understand his place in life, and part of this education would have included the use of the sword. The sword was an important aspect, as it would have been used to defend both his life and his honor, which were one and the same.
This antique smallsword is a beautiful example of the amazing craftsmanship that went into the creation of such pieces. Because the sword was not just a tool, but also a part of everyday life, most weapons were created to show a sense of grace and refinement to reflect the wearer. The blade is of lenticular cross-section and is stiff, well suited to the deadly thrusting style in which it was intended to be used. The hilt is pierced with an intricate floral pattern. The sword is in good condition, although the wire wrap grip has loosened.
Overall length: 34.5"
Weight: .8 pounds
Width of guard: 3"
Blade: 27.75" long; 1" wide at base, tapering to .375"
Grip length: 3.625"
Point of Balance (PoB): 3.6" from guard
Maker: Unknown (Antique manufacture).
Open a printer-friendly version of this page
