Silver-hilted smallsword by Thomas Chawner, British (1773)

Title	Silver-hilted smallsword by Thomas Chawner
Nationality	British
Period	1773

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This sword, retailed by (Mark) Bock of Cockspur Street, Charing Cross, is hallmarked, on the arms of the hilt, for London 1773 (date letter being a Gothic 'R'), Thomas Chawner ('TC' in an oblong), a celebrated London spoon maker. The nose of the frog stud also has the TC punch.

This sword is a particularly fine example, inasmuch as all the stipple punch work behind the relief of stands of arms on the hilt is almost as it left the shop. This style of decoration, ie with open work military trophies, was popular as a 'militia' hilt from roughly 1750 to about 1780. Typically, these swords were worn by senior military officers as a dress sword. There is a naval version with Neptune's trident, boat hooks and anchors replacing the more conventional army motifs. The rarity here is the survival of the original silver-mounted calf leather scabbard (mid-brown, wrapped on a wooden frame), more or less intact, with a few minor scuffs and dings here and there. However, the bottom chape is a replacement.

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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