Cut steel smallsword, Woodstock, British (c 1780)

Title	Cut steel smallsword, Woodstock
Nationality	British
Period	c 1780

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This screwed-in diamante elements are a typical feature of Woodstock work, not shared with the later Matthew Boulton pieces, which had all their diamante work rivetted in position. The top locket of the scabbard is marked 'HAWES / Bond Street'.

The condition is excellent apart from a few minor problems: the inside of the guard has been chemically cleaned at some point with a rather unfortunate effect; there is some damage to one of the star bursts on the pommel; the mid locket and chape of the scabbard are now missing; the bottom of the scabbard has been broken and taped up; the odd diamante is missing here and there (I detect only two empty holes, one of which clearly reveals a screw thread). The grip binding is the finest I have ever seen on an English sword of this period, comparable to the best French examples. The blade is 32 inches long, has some minor floral engraving on both sides and is almost certainly a Solingen product.

I had thought, at one point, that this was a Tula (Russian) hilt, but I have been informed by a very authoritative ex-museum friend that this is almost certainly Woodstock.

If you want to comment on this item—re quality, age, etc—please email me.

[Edged Weapons : Swords : British : 18th Century]

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