History of the Smallsword
The smallsword emerged in 17th-century Europe as a refined, lightweight thrusting weapon, evolving directly from the heavier rapier. As plate armour declined and civilian duelling culture rose, the need for a versatile, portable sidearm grew. Aristocrats, military officers, and duellists favoured the smallsword not only for self-defence but as a marker of social standing. By the late 1600s, it became a staple of a gentleman’s wardrobe, embodying both practicality and elegance. Its design prioritized speed and precision, laying the groundwork for modern fencing. The smallsword’s influence persists today, most notably in the epée, its sporting descendant.
Specifications of the Smallsword
- Blade Length: 70–90 cm (27–35 inches), shorter and narrower than the rapier.
- Blade Type: Triangular or hollow-ground cross-section for rigidity and lethal thrusting. Some later blades featured the colichemarde design, wider at the hilt for parrying strength, tapering sharply for agility.
- Weight: Typically under 1 kg (2.2 lbs), enabling rapid maneuvers.
- Hilt: Ornate guards, ranging from simple shell cups to intricate basket designs.
- Grip: Wrapped in wire, leather, or shagreen (textured ray/shark skin for grip).
Crafted by master smiths, smallswords often boasted lavish decorations, gilded hilts, gemstone pommels, and engraved blades, reflecting their dual role as weapons and art objects.
Evolution of the Smallsword
1. Transition from the Rapier (Early 17th Century):
As duelling shifted from battlefield skirmishes to formalized civilian encounters, the rapier’s bulk gave way to the smallsword’s agility. Fencing techniques focused on thrusting, codified in manuals like Ridolfo Capo Ferro’s Gran Simulacro (1610).
2. Golden Age (18th Century):
The smallsword reached its zenith as a duelling weapon and fashion accessory. Fencing masters like Domenico Angelo emphasized posture and precision in his influential L’École des Armes (1763). Custom-made smallswords became status symbols, worn with courtly habit à la française or military uniforms.
3. Decline and Sporting Legacy (19th Century):
Firearms and changing battlefield tactics rendered the smallsword obsolete for combat. By the Napoleonic era, it was supplanted by the military sabre. However, its techniques endured in epée fencing, formalized as an Olympic sport in 1896.
Advantages & Disadvantages
Advantages
- Speed: Lightning-fast thrusts dominated duels.
- Portability: Easily worn with civilian attire.
- Social Prestige: Hilts displayed wealth and taste.
Disadvantages
- Limited Utility: Ineffective against armour or in battlefield melees.
- Fragility: Narrow blades could snap under heavy blows.
- Specialization: Designed for single combat, not group skirmishes.
The Smallsword and Fashion
In the 18th century, a gentleman’s smallsword was as essential as his wig or pocket watch. Louis XIV of France and Britain’s George Washington owned lavishly decorated examples, signalling power and refinement. Hilts featured ivory, enamel, or gold filigree, while blades bore mottos like “Honi Soit Qui Mal Y Pense” (“Shame on him who thinks evil”). Worn diagonally through a coat’s skirt, it balanced practicality with opulence.
Legacy and Influence
- Fencing: The smallsword’s techniques underpin modern epée fencing, emphasizing thrusts and footwork.
- Military Tradition: Officer’s dress swords (e.g., the British Mameluke) echo smallsword aesthetics.
- Cultural Icon: Featured in art, from Gainsborough portraits to The Three Musketeers.
Today, institutions like London’s Wallace Collection and New York’s Met Museum showcase historic smallswords, while HEMA (Historical European Martial Arts) groups revive their use in sparring.
Collecting Smallswords
Key Considerations for Collectors:
- Authenticity: Look for period hallmarks (e.g., Toledo or Solingen maker’s marks).
- Condition: Intact hilts and sharp, un-pitted blades command premium prices.
- Provenance: Swords tied to figures like Napoleon or Marie Antoinette fetch astronomical sums.
Notable Auctions:
- A 1780 French smallsword with gold chiseling sold for €42,000 at Christie’s (2019).
- Simpler military models start around £500.
Watch: Was the 18th century smallsword better than the 17th century rapier?
The smallsword epitomizes the intersection of art, warfare, and society in early modern Europe. Its lethal elegance shaped fencing as both a martial art and a gentlemanly pursuit, while its craftsmanship remains a testament to Baroque and Rococo artistry. For historians, fencers, and collectors, the smallsword endures as a symbol of a world where honour was won at the point of a blade.
