EUROPEAN BACKSWORD C.1650

All steel construction. The hilt with finely forged hollow bulbous terminal grip, swelled medial knuckle bow and small loop side guard with inset shell. The guard and grip engraved throughout with large scale scrolling foliage. 25 7/8” straight, narrow fullered blade with long false edge, engraved with a lattice to the left side. Glossy patina over expected surface toning. A rare transitional form from the period when wearing swords indoors was becoming popular. That trend led to the evolution of the hanger and small sword in the decades immediately following. Previously, it was expected that any man wearing a large rapier would deposit his weapon at the door when entering a public building or private home.