A FINE ENGLISH SMALL-SWORD WITH CUT-STEEL HILT

THE PROPERTY OF A LADY

Details

A FINE ENGLISH SMALL-SWORD WITH CUT-STEEL HILT

THE LOCKET SIGNED 'THOS. GRAY SACKVILLE STRT.', CIRCA 1790

With slender sharply tapering blade of hollow-triangular section, the forte etched and gilt with scrollwork against a blued ground, and highly polished hilt of characteristic form, the slightly concave oval shell, grip and ovoidal pommel, each set with lines of multi-faceted beadwork and patterns of framed beadwork rosettes, knuckle-guard with small arms, and rear quillon en suite, in original scabbard covered in black shagreen (minor split) with ribbed steel locket and chape, the former signed and with cut-steel frog button, complete with its original chamois leather draw-string bag, and in exceptional condition throughout
31½in. (80cm.) blade (2)

Lot Essay

Thomas Grey is first recorded in 1786 in an invoice at Windsor Castle, and appears in the London directories at 42 Sackville Street between 1789 and 1793 as 'Jeweller, Sword-Cutler & Maker of Fancy Articles'. A number of swords by him, all, like this one, of the very highest quality, are in the Royal Collection at Windsor Castle. It is likely that he was actually a manufacturer of cut-steel objects, since among the stock of his successors, Messrs Delafons, were "About 350 gross of steel beads, various sizes". One of the swords at Windsor (No. S11) is very similar to the present one

See A.V.B. Norman, The Rapier and Small-Sword, 1980, pp. 346, 390, 392 and plate 155

More from Arms & Armour

View All