Not all of these delicate cuttoes were mounted in silver. This fine piece, for example, has a brass hilt. Notice, too, the green dyed ivory grip, as well as the curved pommel plate bearing a raised face, and the contemporary designs engraved on the crossguard. Below the elliptical brass washer is the popular curved single-edged cutting blade. Its two fullers measure 1/4" x 17" and 3/8" x 24 1/4"; the false edge is 8 1/2" long. The vulnerability of these ivory hilts is apparent from the chip on the inboard side which reveals its white interior.
This hilt illustrates some of the fine cut steel work from England contemporary with the last years of the War for Independence. The spaces between its side branches are now filled with prolific designs creating a semi-basket guard which also expands inboard. The urn-shaped pommel, too, is part of the styling which gained favor in this decade. Fish skin covers the almost recangular grip, and ropes of copper wire wind through its channels. The straight double-fullered blade predates the hilt. Its visible markings read "HOU...FEC" (Possibly for "Hounslow").
The colonial brass pommel head of this example is better defined than many. It is formed from two vertical shells joined at a median seam and secures the wooden grip which does not taper, but provides grooves for steep curving ropes of brass wire. The double-ended counterguard has symmetrical pierced designs that vary sufficiently to identify unskilled hand work. Its curving European blade bears engraved panoplies of arms, as well as the common 18th century "narrow and wide" fuller combination: 1/8" x 20 1/2"; 5/8" x 24 3/4".
This grenadier's grid pattern creates a surprisingly sturdy hilt. The red wool liner, backed by thin buckskin, remains, but may be a later addition. Its guard opens at the base to form three areas into which project open iron hearts. The antler grip appears to be original, and a flat circular ring secures the top elements of the hilt under the ovoid pommel in typical fashion. Its slightly curving one-edged blade includes the common back fuller. (1/4" X 22").
Length: 34 3/8"
Blade: 28 3/8" x 1 1/4"
Weight: 2.2 lbs.
Hilt: Iron
Source
George C. Neumann, Swords and Blades of the American Revolution, (Harrisburg: Stackpole Books, 1973), 71. (29.S)
Date
c. 1750-1765
Rights
George C. Neumann Collection, Valley Forge National Historical Park
This better quality specimen was probably used by a noncom or officer, but it still bears the large military fleur-de-lis stamp on both faces of the blade. The brass is embellished with raised 18th century designs, including a military panoply of arms on the shell guard, while the tapering wooden grip has vertical fluting covering its full circumference. A typical straight single-edged blade bears a 1/4" X 15 3/4" fuller and a 4 1/2" false edge.
This expanding guard has a hollowed out knuckle bow into which fits two thin sections that pivot out when needed and lock into position by a spring near the grip's base. A small friction clip from the outboard branch fits through a mid-point hole in the others when closed. The ball pommelled steel hilt includes a dished bilobate counterguard. Its long straight square-backed blade was originally marked "Vive Le Roy", and apparently altered to "Vire La Patrie" during the French Revolution.
One of the interesting aspects of the small sword was the blade. Designed for thrusting, its cross section assumed many forms - principally elliptical, triangular, diamond, and hexagonal. This one is an undulating "flamboyant" pattern. It is primarily for decoration, but has both edges sharpened, and a flattened center ridge. The pierced steel hilt displays open panoplies of arms on both shells of the guard, plus a wire and band wrapped rectangular hilt. Note, too, that the pas d'ane continue to flatten.
This early small sword further illustrates the pattern's 17th century evolution from the heavy rapier. The double-ended quillions were forged as one piece to include the uneven pas d'ane (or "arms of the hilt"). Its tall thin cylindrical grip is wound with a double strand rope of fine copper wire, while the bilobate counterguard (i.e. two "shells") has a smooth surface above and raised foliage designs beneath. Its double-edged straight blade holds a 1" rectangular ricasso, convex faces, and a 1/8" X 7" central fuller.
Length: 40 3/4"
Blade: 34 3/4" x 11/16"
Weight 1.0 lb.
Hilt: Iron
Source
George C. Neumann, Swords and Blades of the American Revolution, (Harrisburg: Stackpole Books, 1973), 127. (197.S)
Date
c. 1660-1670
Rights
George C. Neumann Collection, Valley Forge National Historical Park
Such a pattern would probably date from the 1730-1740 period in Europe. In this case, it is believed to be an American hilt. Allowing for the normal delay before new styles gained acceptance in the colonies, a 1740-1750 dating has been estimated. The polished wooden grip has never been covered, and the two ridged ferrules plain steel hilt, except for a single incised (crude) line tracing the edge of both of the guard's shells. The European triangular blade has concave faces.