Page 206 - (DK) Smithsinian - Military History: The Definitive Visual Guide to the Objects of Warfare

204 NAVAL SWORDS

ONET 1680–1815 An ordinary sailor in the late 18th century made do with a simple cutlass,

alongside a boarding pike, ax, and blunderbuss pistol. Naval officers, however,
could choose from a wider range of swords. In addition to a short, curved sword
with a plain hilt, officers’ weapons included the ceremonial small sword, often
worn when going ashore, and the spadroon—a light sword with a “five-ball hilt.”
The spadroon, with the decorative spheres on its hilt, was highly fashionable
probably belonged to British diplomat
Date 1770
Sir William Hamilton (1731–1803), had
Officers’ swords also often had an anchor decoration on the hilt.
Origin UK
a silver knuckle guard and grip bound
Y among officers in both armies and navies towards the close of the 18th century. ▲ SMALL SWORD This ceremonial small sword, which
with silver wire. The ornate pommel was
Length 32 ⁄2in (82.5cm)
1
AND BA Fluted ivory grip Short, straight
embossed with a motif of a goat and dogs.
blade for thrusting
FLINTLOCK

▲ OFFICER’S DIRK
The dirk was carried by
officers and midshipmen from
Date 1790
band
1750 onwards. The daggerlike Gilt scabbard ▶ DUTCH S-BAR
Origin UK sword could be used as a stabbing HILTED SWORD
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Length 20 ⁄2in (52cm) weapon in boarding operations. Date 1797
Origin Netherlands
Length 33in (84cm)
Reeded ivory grip This Dutch sword with an
S-bar hilt may have been given
to Captain William Bligh by a
Dutch admiral, perhaps Vice-
Admiral Reijntjes, on board
HMS Director in October 1797.
Royal monogram

Lion’s head pommel
and back-piece
Gilt metal
stirrup guard

Ornate decoration
▲ ROYAL MARINES SWORD The British Royal Navy’s corps of the
Date c.1798 Royal Marines was established in 1664.
It was initially called the Duke of York
Blued blade Origin UK
▶ NAVAL OFFICER’S SWORD and Albany’s Maritime Regiment of Foot.
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Length 34 ⁄4in (87cm) Half the length of this fine sword’s blade
Date 1790
featured blue and gilt decoration.
Origin UK
Weight 33oz (935g)
1
Length 33 ⁄2in (85cm)
Many of the ceremonial swords
worn by naval officers featured etched
designs, gilding, and a “blued” blade. Gold
and mercury were used in the gilding, and
when the blade was fired, the mercury
evaporated, leaving the gold design
highlighted against a dark background.
English swordsmiths were renowned around
the globe for their skill in these techniques.
White ivory Oval gilt
grip plaque Leather scabbard
▶ FIVE-BALL SPADROON This five-ball spadroon, or light sword,
Date c.1790 was straight-bladed with a “five-ball
hilt”—the “five-ball” referring to the
Origin UK
decorative spheres on the hilt’s knuckle
1
Length 31 ⁄2in (80.5cm) guard and counter-guard. Quillon, or cross-guard, also
with five decorative balls