FINE FRENCH SILVER HILTED SMALLSWORD C.1720-40

Early example demonstrating the evolution of the rapier to the smallsword. 31” diamond section blade, convex at the forte and decorated with foliage and lattice at the base in the French taste. Original red cloth blade seat. The hilt with double shell guard, each with an armorial garter each side and intricately pierced with lattice. The shell edged with foliate garlands with fine stipple or texture finish providing contrast. The other hilt elements with matching decoration. Silver wire wrapped grip with silver gilt ferrules. The use of ferrules instead of turban form wire knots was fashionable at the time. The intricate piercing is an early example of that form of decoration and the foliage “frosted” for contrast is very rare. A fine early fighting sword made for an aristocratic owner.