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Smallsword: HEN.M.250 & A-1933

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Current Location: Gallery 31 (Armoury)

Maker(s)

Maker: Unknown (Possibly)

Entities

Categories

Description

Silver-gilt hilt bearing the arms of France and another coat of arms. Scabbard covered with shagreen.

Notes

History note: Mr James Stewart Henderson of 'Abbotsford', Downs Road, St Helen's Park, Hastings, Sussex

Legal notes

J.S. Henderson Bequest

Acquisition and important dates

Method of acquisition: Bequeathed (1933-03-16) by Henderson, James Stewart

Dating

18th Century, Early
Production date: circa AD 1720

Note

The delicate hilt is typical of many small swords of the 18th century which were much more part of male costume and fashion than weaponry though they could be used to deadly effect when and if required.

Components of the work

Hilt composed of gilt silver
Scabbard composed of shagreen
Sword composed of steel

Identification numbers

Accession number: HEN.M.250 & A-1933
Primary reference Number: 19008

Audit data

Created: Saturday 6 August 2011 Updated: Monday 29 April 2024

Associated departments & institutions

Owner or interested party: The Fitzwilliam Museum
Associated department: Applied Arts

Citation for print

This record can be cited in the Harvard Bibliographic style using the text below:

The Fitzwilliam Museum (2025) "Smallsword" Web page available at: https://collection.beta.fitz.ms/id/object/19008 Accessed: 2025-12-05 11:07:21

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{{cite web|url=https://collection.beta.fitz.ms/id/object/19008 |title=Smallsword |author=The Fitzwilliam Museum|accessdate=2025-12-05 11:07:21|publisher=The University of Cambridge}}

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