Lot Essay
A small-sword with a similar hilt is in the Germanisches Museum, Nuremberg (No. W2439)
Details
ANOTHER
CIRCA 1750, PROBABLY ENGLISH
With blade (lightly pitted) of hollow-triangular section with etching (rubbed) at the forte including the motto 'Honi Soit Qui Mal Y Pense', iron hilt encrusted with diagonal rows of small gold rosettes separated by narrow chiselled ribs and borders of gilt chiselled acanthus foliage, and original wooden grip bound with twisted silver wire and ribbon, partly gilt (some wear overall)
30in. (76.1cm.) blade
CIRCA 1750, PROBABLY ENGLISH
With blade (lightly pitted) of hollow-triangular section with etching (rubbed) at the forte including the motto 'Honi Soit Qui Mal Y Pense', iron hilt encrusted with diagonal rows of small gold rosettes separated by narrow chiselled ribs and borders of gilt chiselled acanthus foliage, and original wooden grip bound with twisted silver wire and ribbon, partly gilt (some wear overall)
30in. (76.1cm.) blade