Small Sword, c. 1780. During the 1700s, the small-sword emerged as a light, quick weapon. Like the rapier it was carried by unarmored civilians, the noblemen of the upper classes. Over time this delicate sword became more an accessory of male attire than a weapon essential to life and death. The sword hilt, which shows even when the blade is sheathed, became the ground for elaborate decoration. These small-swords thus represent the final stage in the evolution of the sword, from the edged weapons of antiquity to the elegantly refined blades of the 1700s and 1800s.

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Size: 5000px × 3953px
Photo credit: © Heritage Images / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: 18th, ?, armor, arms, art, bands, blade, century, cleveland, core, forged, france, gilt, heritage, hilt, leather, museum, paris, partially, russet, steel, unknown, wire, wood