English small-sword made from cut and polished steel, the oval guard conforming very closely to pattern number 2997 in Matthew Boulton’s Soho factory pattern book of c.1762. The pommel is made en-suite, and the hilt was originally fitted with a matching knuckle-guard (now missing). The wooden grip is wound with crimped silver tape and twisted silver wire binding.
See R.H. Bezdek “Swords and sword makers of England and Scotland� Colorado, 2003 p.270 for Matthew Boulton’s pattern; and see A.V.B. Norman “The Rapier and Small-Sword, 1460-1820� Arms and Armour Press, 1980. pp. 389-391 for a discussion of English cut and facetted steel small-sword hilts.
fighting