Small-sword

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Hilt, English, about 1690 - 1700; blade, probably German and contemporary with the hilt.

Overall length 104.7 cm; length of blade 86.7 cm.

Iron hilt consisting of twin shells, knuckleguard, arms, longitudinally recurved quillons and fig-shape pommel, most surfaces heavily gilt and chiselled in relief with foliage, pendant fruit, gods and winged cherub's heads; the latter and the recumbent figures of mythological or classical form being partially ungilded, the blued iron providing a colour contrast.

Straight, steel, two-edged blade of slender, flattened diamond section; struck in the narrow central fuller with'IHN MINI'.

Scabbard of black leather may be original, and retains steel mounts decorated en suite with the hilt.

The wire-bound grip is a later refurbishment.