A French Small-Sword With Chiselled And Gilt Hilt, Mid-18th Century

A French Small-Sword With Chiselled And Gilt Hilt
Mid-18th Century
With sharply tapering blade (some pitting) of hollow triangular section, the forte etched and gilt on one side with a panel of strapwork and symmetrical scrolling foliage, and on the other with a similar panel and a trophy of arms surmounted by a sun-in-splendour, russet steel hilt of characteristic form chiselled with flowering foliage within ovals on either side of the shell-guard, quillon-block, knuckle-guard and pommel, all against punched gilt grounds and between pierced trellised designs of flower-heads picked out in gold, and grip bound with crimped copper ribbon and twisted copper wire, in original wood-lined scabbard (chape missing) with suspension mount and locket en suite with the hilt, and complete with its original steel belt clip and suspension chains, the former covered in buff leather, the latter each with gilt decoration and sprung attachment hooks; together with an unusual short sword, early 19th century, probably Indian, with Khyber knife blade (surface rust and pitting), brass stirrup hilt in European fashion with cast decoration (knuckle-guard broken), and ribbed horn grip (pommel with minor damage) (3)
75.5 cm. and 62 cm. blades