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Forum Index > Historical Arms Talk > Would a smallsword w/ loop hilt and epee blade be unwieldy? Reply to topic
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Andrew J





Joined: 12 Sep 2006

Posts: 4

PostPosted: Sat 06 Jan, 2007 2:01 am    Post subject: Would a smallsword w/ loop hilt and epee blade be unwieldy?         Reply with quote

Is there any precedent for such a combination?
Would the combination be practical?
I know nothing about fencing, but i do know a thing or two about swords. (Mostly through months of visiting this site.)

Granted, I'm asking this for the purpose accuracy in fiction, please don't go out of your way to answer this.

I'm not sure this is even the right board to post this in.
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Steve Grisetti




Location: Washington DC metro area, USA
Joined: 01 Mar 2004
Likes: 9 pages
Reading list: 28 books

Posts: 1,812

PostPosted: Sat 06 Jan, 2007 6:46 am    Post subject: Re: Would a smallsword w/ loop hilt and epee blade be unwiel         Reply with quote

I am no fencer, nor have I much knowledge on smallswords or epees. But I would like to understand your question better. When you speak of a loop hilt, do you mean a smallsword like this custom A&A piece?

I.e., no finger rings or shell guard? Just a loop to the side?

"...dismount thy tuck, be yare in thy preparation, for thy assailant is quick, skilful, and deadly."
- Sir Toby Belch
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Steve Grisetti




Location: Washington DC metro area, USA
Joined: 01 Mar 2004
Likes: 9 pages
Reading list: 28 books

Posts: 1,812

PostPosted: Sat 06 Jan, 2007 7:15 am    Post subject: Re: Would a smallsword w/ loop hilt and epee blade be unwiel         Reply with quote

Andrew J wrote:
Is there any precedent for such a combination? ....

I don't know if this helps, but please see the description of "small sword" in the myArmoury feature Forms of European Edged Weaponry. This states, among other things, that
Quote:
The blades mounted on these smallswords were very varied indeed; although the commonest form was flattened, hexagonal-sectional, rhomboid- or triangular-sectioned blades were also widespread, the latter with shallow grooves and pronounced edges.
FWIW, the portion of the quote that I highlighted suggests to me that there may well be a precedent for an epee blade on a loop-hilt smallsword.
"...dismount thy tuck, be yare in thy preparation, for thy assailant is quick, skilful, and deadly."
- Sir Toby Belch
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Andrew J





Joined: 12 Sep 2006

Posts: 4

PostPosted: Sat 06 Jan, 2007 4:28 pm    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Steve, that is exactly the the kind of hilt I'm talking about. In fact, that is the piece that inspired this question.

The last part of that quote pretty much describes a hollow ground epee blade.
I'm trying to find out if there are any historical, antique swords that had the combination of both a loop hilt and an
epee blade. I'm also trying to find out how combat practical such a combination would be.

Thank you for taking the time to answer.
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Peter Bosman




Location: Andalucia
Joined: 22 May 2006

Posts: 598

PostPosted: Sun 07 Jan, 2007 2:38 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Andrew J wrote:
Steve, that is exactly the the kind of hilt I'm talking about. In fact, that is the piece that inspired this question.

The last part of that quote pretty much describes a hollow ground epee blade.
I'm trying to find out if there are any historical, antique swords that had the combination of both a loop hilt and an
epee blade. I'm also trying to find out how combat practical such a combination would be.

Thank you for taking the time to answer.


'Combat'? The smallsword was intended to be a civilian sword. From hypothetical personal protection to duels and later ornamental puproses.
I was carried by the upper class and estetic value was thus always high.

About functionality your question would ideally be directed to the customer who had the shown example made as he too is on this forum and quite a specialist in the use of smallswords.

In about two weeks btw there is a VERY important auction in the Netherlands of unique quality pieces including about a dozen or so smallswords of varied designs.
The link of the auction house is http://www.hessink.nl/ and they have a catalogue on line.

Peter
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Chris Goerner




Location: Roanoke, Virginia
Joined: 19 Sep 2004
Likes: 14 pages

Posts: 356

PostPosted: Sun 07 Jan, 2007 3:33 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Andrew J wrote:
The last part of that quote pretty much describes a hollow ground epee blade.
I'm trying to find out if there are any historical, antique swords that had the combination of both a loop hilt and an
epee blade. I'm also trying to find out how combat practical such a combination would be.

Thank you for taking the time to answer.


Andrew,

If you go to myArmoury's Album page and do a search for loop hilt, you will find original loop hilts with a variety of blade styles. I was surprised myself to learn how many different blade types were mated to this style of hilt.

I hope this helps.

Chris

Sic Semper Tyranus
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Andrew J





Joined: 12 Sep 2006

Posts: 4

PostPosted: Sun 07 Jan, 2007 5:25 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Chris, bingo.
http://www.myArmoury.com/albums/displayimage....amp;pos=24

Unless my eyes deceive me, that is a three sided blade. Thank you.

Then the bad news from Peter. I may have to find a more suitable type of sword.
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