Interesting information about swords… In order to understand what exactly will be discussed next, it is necessary to initially make a more detailed description of the sword.
Although connoisseurs disagree about the sword's country of origin – some say Holland, some say France – but there is no doubt that it was a scaled-down version or adaptation of the rapier.
Unusual European rapier with deer XVIII century
An example of an unusual European rapier with deer XVIII in our store, you can get acquainted with the item in more detail at the link.
The sword was designed so that civilians, especially the know, could show their status and of course for protection if necessary. This was the case in Western European society from about 1660 until almost the end of the eighteenth century. But over time, the custom of wearing a sword as an element of the costume every day outlived its usefulness and was limited only to solemn events.
During the use of swords (about 150 years) there were many changes and variations in style, models of handle and blades, as well as some details in the sword. All these features can give us the opportunity to recognize and attribute the object to a certain period of their use, to find out the age.
The handles were made of different metals and decorated in different ways, and ranged from very simple to elaborate and artsy pieces. It all depended on the financial capabilities of the owner and the skills of the master.
Initially, such an element of ephesus as a cross (counter-guard) had two components with slightly concave "shells" and in general terms resembled a pair of kidneys attached to each other. In some examples, the D-pad has a relief edge, reminiscent of a seashell.
An example of a typical sword ephesus.
Grips ranged from elongated barrel shape to columnar and square in cross-section. Part of the handle passes through the base of the blade of various shapes, called the rikasso, from the top of which two branches depart, the Pas d'An rings, they bend down to the cross. Pas d'An's rings were designed to insert fingers into the same way as they did when using a rapier.
Schematic representation of the details of the epesus of the sword.
From the head (pommel) depart the branches (branch) of the handle and connect to the rikasso, forming a volumetric protection for the brush (knuckle guard).
Opposite the point of appearance of the protective formation, the other branch passes forward over the line of the posterior edge of the blade, forming the end of the cross (quillon). Usually the end of the cross is bent downward and ends, often teardrop-shaped. Some swords do not have a protective temple or only a chain. In such specimens there are two ends of the cross, they form a straight cross.
An example of an ephesus sword with a chain instead of an arch.
An example of a camisol French sword of the XVIII century in our store, you can get acquainted with the item in more detail by the link.
The blade of the sword is designed for a direct blow. In cross-section, the blade can have different shapes, even on the same blade. The most frequent forms of cross-section can be lenticular, flattened hexagonal, diamond-shaped and wide three-sided with concave sides.
Many blades were made with an enlarged basal (main) part to improve the impact force and balance. This type of sword is called a colichemard. The shape of the blade and the three-sided blade of the colichemard were superbly functional, relatively strong, and potentially lethal. Although it was originally a civilian weapon, military officers and gentlemen found it suitable for everyday carry and sometimes for more serious purposes. Often military colichamards had smoothed hexagonal blades in cross-section, which implies a loss of rigidity for neat appearance and ease of wearing.
Colichamard type sword Western Europe of the XVIII century
An example of a sword of the Kolishemard type is in our store, you can get acquainted with the item in more detail by the link.
The sheath was made of a lightweight material, usually thin leather. The shape of the scabbard was adjusted perfectly to the blade. The fastenings on the sheath reflected the manner in which the sword was worn. Most often, the sword was suspended on two straps or chains attached to the left side of the belt of the person with the right leading hand. The metal parts of the scabbard – the mouth and the tip (fettering of the scabbard), could have decorative parts. The method of wearing the sword depended more on the style of clothing at that time than on the shape of the sword itself, so the fastenings on the sheath were dictated by fashion.
Sword to wear in the city, court sword with Diamond Cut
An example of a Sword to wear in the city, a court sword with a Diamond Cut before the First Empire before 1804 in our store, you can get acquainted with the subject in more detail by the link.
Quite often, nobles had more than one sword, and the number of swords depended on the financial possibility. They wore a sword recognized for the most appropriate occasion: one simple and unobtrusive for everyday wear; another light or decorative for social events; another, expensive and impressive for solemn ceremonies; and perhaps one is decorated in a black sword for mourning.
At the beginning of the eighteenth century, the sword reached the peak of its use in England and France, as well as in Germany, Holland, and the Scandinavian countries.
The American colonizers were closely connected to England by trade and were therefore influenced and tasted by England. By the time of the American Revolution, the use of swords for civilian purposes had declined among Americans. Only the elite could carry such expensive weapons at that time. Many stopped using swords in America when the war broke out, or were used in combat when nothing else was available. There are still many swords that once belonged to Americans before or during the Revolution.
After the Revolution, Congress allocated funds and commissioned the manufacture of ten swords with silver epheses, appropriately decorated and signed as a gift to military officers, who earned the honorable gratitude of the Americans for their outstanding service. Swords were made in France and they were awarded to honored officers or their heirs.
The continuation of this article will be in the following publications…
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Interesting information about swords
Interesting information about swords… In order to understand what exactly will be discussed next, it is necessary to initially make a more detailed description of the sword.
Although connoisseurs disagree about the sword's country of origin – some say Holland, some say France – but there is no doubt that it was a scaled-down version or adaptation of the rapier.
The sword was designed so that civilians, especially the know, could show their status and of course for protection if necessary. This was the case in Western European society from about 1660 until almost the end of the eighteenth century. But over time, the custom of wearing a sword as an element of the costume every day outlived its usefulness and was limited only to solemn events.
During the use of swords (about 150 years) there were many changes and variations in style, models of handle and blades, as well as some details in the sword. All these features can give us the opportunity to recognize and attribute the object to a certain period of their use, to find out the age.
The handles were made of different metals and decorated in different ways, and ranged from very simple to elaborate and artsy pieces. It all depended on the financial capabilities of the owner and the skills of the master.
Initially, such an element of ephesus as a cross (counter-guard) had two components with slightly concave "shells" and in general terms resembled a pair of kidneys attached to each other. In some examples, the D-pad has a relief edge, reminiscent of a seashell.
Grips ranged from elongated barrel shape to columnar and square in cross-section. Part of the handle passes through the base of the blade of various shapes, called the rikasso, from the top of which two branches depart, the Pas d'An rings, they bend down to the cross. Pas d'An's rings were designed to insert fingers into the same way as they did when using a rapier.
From the head (pommel) depart the branches (branch) of the handle and connect to the rikasso, forming a volumetric protection for the brush (knuckle guard).
Opposite the point of appearance of the protective formation, the other branch passes forward over the line of the posterior edge of the blade, forming the end of the cross (quillon). Usually the end of the cross is bent downward and ends, often teardrop-shaped. Some swords do not have a protective temple or only a chain. In such specimens there are two ends of the cross, they form a straight cross.
The blade of the sword is designed for a direct blow. In cross-section, the blade can have different shapes, even on the same blade. The most frequent forms of cross-section can be lenticular, flattened hexagonal, diamond-shaped and wide three-sided with concave sides.
Many blades were made with an enlarged basal (main) part to improve the impact force and balance. This type of sword is called a colichemard. The shape of the blade and the three-sided blade of the colichemard were superbly functional, relatively strong, and potentially lethal. Although it was originally a civilian weapon, military officers and gentlemen found it suitable for everyday carry and sometimes for more serious purposes. Often military colichamards had smoothed hexagonal blades in cross-section, which implies a loss of rigidity for neat appearance and ease of wearing.
The sheath was made of a lightweight material, usually thin leather. The shape of the scabbard was adjusted perfectly to the blade. The fastenings on the sheath reflected the manner in which the sword was worn. Most often, the sword was suspended on two straps or chains attached to the left side of the belt of the person with the right leading hand. The metal parts of the scabbard – the mouth and the tip (fettering of the scabbard), could have decorative parts. The method of wearing the sword depended more on the style of clothing at that time than on the shape of the sword itself, so the fastenings on the sheath were dictated by fashion.
Quite often, nobles had more than one sword, and the number of swords depended on the financial possibility. They wore a sword recognized for the most appropriate occasion: one simple and unobtrusive for everyday wear; another light or decorative for social events; another, expensive and impressive for solemn ceremonies; and perhaps one is decorated in a black sword for mourning.
At the beginning of the eighteenth century, the sword reached the peak of its use in England and France, as well as in Germany, Holland, and the Scandinavian countries.
The American colonizers were closely connected to England by trade and were therefore influenced and tasted by England. By the time of the American Revolution, the use of swords for civilian purposes had declined among Americans. Only the elite could carry such expensive weapons at that time. Many stopped using swords in America when the war broke out, or were used in combat when nothing else was available. There are still many swords that once belonged to Americans before or during the Revolution.
After the Revolution, Congress allocated funds and commissioned the manufacture of ten swords with silver epheses, appropriately decorated and signed as a gift to military officers, who earned the honorable gratitude of the Americans for their outstanding service. Swords were made in France and they were awarded to honored officers or their heirs.
The continuation of this article will be in the following publications…
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