EL6842 - A George III or Regency officer's smallsword, c.1790-1810. The hilt is not hallmarked, but the tarnish visible clearly indicates silver alloy content, or silver alloy plating. The urn-like pommel finely fluted and outstanding silver wire-wrapped grip feels wonderful in the hand. The modest oval guard, with decoration on the underside and reinforced plate the the tang junction. Vestigial finger-rings helping to date the piece to the end of the 18th century. The hilt has a tiny bit of movement, but is basically quite firm on the tang. The blade is relatively plane, of standard triangular hollow-ground cross-section, but notably has engraved Royal coat of arms and GR cypher, showing that this was either a dress sword for a military officer, or some other kind of Royal official. Further research might make it possible to attribute this more precisely.
