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(page
18)
 20.
MILITARY SWORD French
(?), 1730
Hilt of russet steel enriched
with flat gold damascene
and tooling showing floral
scrolls, plants, and trophies;
has neither pas d'âne
nor ricasso. Knuckle guard
and quillon so close to
guard as to preclude Italian
grip. Knuckle guard double,
one side fixed in the
usual position, the other
hinged to open at right
angles upon touching a
spring. In this position
it becomes locked. Grip
of two strands of heavy
silvered twisted wire
and three of light. Pommel
flattened.
Blade three-edged, the
left side nearly flat.
26.145.332
L. 97 (80) Wt.
571
Plate XIV Reubell Benefaction
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 21.
DRESS SWORD OR HANGER
English, 1690
Hilt in form similar to
that of No. 26, but with
loop guard only. Hilt
of russet steel carved
in spiral design, relieved
by foliation, and damascened
with small gold rosettes.
Grip of silver wire, alternately
two large and three fine
strands twisted oppositely.
Blade bears at base PARIS
in raised letters. Scabbard
of russet leather without
foundation; mountings
en suite with hilt. On
back inscription in fine
dotting, originally gilded:
BECKETT (?) ST. JAMES.
14.25.1206 L.
88 (73) Wt.
526.5
Plate XV Riggs Benefaction
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This and the following
type may be described
as "in the Italian manner."
They date roundly 1680-1740.
 22.
DRESS SWORD Italian (?),
1690-1700 Similar to Nos.
1 and 25.
Hilt steel, blackened,
carved in high relief
in mascarons and floral
scrolls. Ricasso develops
dolphins' heads at sides
as in No. 1. Profile mascaron
at center of knuckle guard;
dolphin-head finial. Grip
bound with oxidized silver
wire: (a) two opposed
strands heavy twisted
wire, (b) fine braided
wire, (c) six strands
fine twisted wire, (d)
fine smooth wire, (e)
medium twisted wire, (f)
same as (d), (g) same
as (c), (h) same as (b).
Pommel globose.
Blade double-edged, with
median flattening, inscribed
at base: PRO GLORIA ET
PATRIA.
26.145.269 L.
102.5 (85)
Wt. 743
Plate XVI Reubell Benefaction
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(page
19)
 23.
DRESS SWORD Italian, 1700
Hilt similar to that of
No.24 except guard, which
is slightly smaller, and
grip of copper wire: (a)
large twisted wire, (b)
oppositely twisted smaller
wire, (c) (e) smaller
steel wire, (d) oppositely
twisted wire larger than
(c) (e) but smaller than
(b).
Blade three-edged, broad
at base, with deep groove
on left and small irregular
design inlaid in brass
(armorer's mark).
14.25.1212 L.
94 (77) Wt.
556
Plate XVII Riggs Benefaction
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This and the following
sword may be described
as "in the Neapolitan-Spanish
manner." They date roundly
1680-1720. Their perforated
ornament suggests the
cup-hilted rapier and
main gauche of 1610-1650.
 24.
DRESS SWORD Italian, 1700
Hilt steel, blackened,
boldly sculptured and
ajouré in floral scrolls.
Ricasso, quillon, and
knuckle guard heavy and
with beaded flutings.
Grip en suite.
Blade double-edged, with
median groove at forte
inscribed: left, IESUS,
right, MARIA, between
floral ornaments.
26.145.272 L.
101 (82.5) Wt.
818
Plate XVIII Reubell Benefaction
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 25.
DRESS SWORD Italian, 1725
Hilt of blackened steel
richly sculptured ajouré;
design includes trophies
of arms, portrait medallions,
acanthus leaves, arms
of octopus, dragon heads
(as in No. 1). Grip ajouré
en suite and in
spiral foliation.
Blade double-edged, grooved
entire length; perforated
by grooves in forte region
and inscribed: right,
IVAN MARTINEZ, left, IN
TOLEDO.
26.145.273 L.
110.5 (92.5) Wt.
812
Note: Hilts of present
type are known also from
Strasbourg, Spain, and
Bohemia
Plate XIX Reubell Benefaction
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