Chiseled French Smallsword

The smallsword was the weapon of choice for gentlemen and slowly replaced the traditional rapier in the late 17th century. It was worn by the military, but also by civilians, first for defense or to fight a duel, but later as a status symbol to show their social rank. In addition to the rapier, the small sword was shorter, lighter and therefore much easier to use.
The handle: Classic shape, made entirely of steel. The hollow openwork pommel is revised to the blade and has a knuckle guard which ends in ricasso with a single quillon and two donkey rings. The hilt consists of a single piece in the shape of a shell and the entire hilt is chiseled with rocaille motifs, a French courtly fashion design that emerged in the mid-18th century and known as "rococo". The handle is made of steel, connected by a fine braided metal wire.
The blade: Triangular in shape, a feature adopted in the early 18th century, generally considered an improvement over the double-edged blades the ancient and transitional small swords possessed. However, both types of blades, including experimental blades, were made throughout the 18th century and beyond. This example has an unusually wide forte and ends in a triangular spiked tip. The blade is decorated with an engraved floral design, but is not marked with a maker's mark. I assume this blade was made either in France or Germany. The blade is protected by the original scabbard made of wood and parchment and fitted with raw iron fittings.