Greaves with small swords stamp

I believe this razor dates to the 1830's. Double notches cut into the tang I don't see very often. Fancy spine sort of like an arris but more rounded with a small flat on the top. The 13/16 near wedge blade is done in a glazed finish. The original scales were restored. A small crack at the wedge end was repaired and the scales re-dyed black with a soft satin finish. I was also able to save the original steel pivot pin collars. The poured lay metal or lead endcap was pinned to the scales and not removed. A small brass pin tapering from .045 to .035 passed through the wedge end escutcheons holding the scales together. There has been a bit of shrinkage of the horn around the end cap over the last 185 years or so.
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The swords are commonly referred to as the fencing foils, as that is what they are. I have two with the double thumb notches, but have never seen a wedge like that on a Greaves razor. Very cool.

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Originally Posted by holli4pirating

The swords are commonly referred to as the fencing foils, as that is what they are. I have two with the double thumb notches, but have never seen a wedge like that on a Greaves razor. Very cool.

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Look up the definition of small sword.

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Originally Posted by karlej

Look up the definition of small sword.

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Is there something in particular I should be looking for?

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Originally Posted by holli4pirating

Is there something in particular I should be looking for?

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I chose the word small sword purposefully is all.
Fencing foils did not exist when that razor was made. The small sword however did. The small sword or smallsword (also court sword, Gaelic: claidheamh beag or claybeg, French: épée de cour or dress sword) is a light one-handed sword designed for thrusting which evolved out of the longer and heavier rapier of the late Renaissance. The height of the small sword's popularity was between mid 17th and late 18th century. Militarily, small swords continued to be used as a standard sidearm for infantry officers. In some branches with strong traditions, this practice continues to the modern day, albeit for ceremonial and formal dress only. The carrying of swords by officers in combat conditions was frequent in World War I and still saw some practice in World War II. The 1913 U.S. Army Manual of Bayonet Drill[1] includes instructions for how to defend with a smallsword. Fencing as an organized sport did not begin until the end of the 19th century. The sport’s first Olympic appearance was at the 1896 Games in Athens, Greece.

Cool razor and scales. Nice job, and a great find.

I am eagerly awaiting this restoration from Karl. I am looking forward to the "shotgun" Greaves makers mark stamp. LOL.
jeff

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Originally Posted by karlej

I chose the word small sword purposefully is all.
Fencing foils did not exist when that razor was made.

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I'm going off Wikipedia, which says the foil dates to the 16th century, and was used in France as a training weapon in the 18th century. Is that information incorrect?

I invented the internet.

Those "small swords" appear to be very similar to the dress swords worn in the RCN by officers when the dress of the day is medals and swords. They can't be mistaken for a fencing foil.

I remember having to learn cutlass drill because some wanker decided that the guard petty officer would carry a cutlass instead of a rifle for ceremonial divisions. Yes, traditions die hard.

Bob

Karl, nice restore on this old Greaves. I especially like the save on the lead/tin end caps. Rarely do you see those. Do you think they were original or added to strengthen the scale crack at the wedge end? My guess is that they were added as a first repair. Again great restore. BTW, I have a similar small sword in a closet somewhere worn as part of my military full dress uniform.

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Originally Posted by ajkenne

Karl, nice restore on this old Greaves. I especially like the save on the lead/tin end caps. Rarely do you see those. Do you think they were original or added to strengthen the scale crack at the wedge end? My guess is that they were added as a first repair. Again great restore. BTW, I have a similar small sword in a closet somewhere worn as part of my military full dress uniform.

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Thanks Austin. I believe the end cap is original. That would be the long way around the barn to strengthen a crack. The escutcheon is also poured in place. The scale shrinkage I think caused the crack which runs through the middle of the escutcheon.

It arrived today. The restoration is really amazing. The scales have such a beautiful satin sheen. The tin end caps and hardware look satin and smooth. There were bug bites that were filled and almost imperceptible to the eye. I also love the way the double finger notches feel in the hand. Looking forward to using it in a few days.
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Originally Posted by karlej

Thanks Austin. I believe the end cap is original. That would be the long way around the barn to strengthen a crack. The escutcheon is also poured in place. The scale shrinkage I think caused the crack which runs through the middle of the escutcheon.

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Agreed. The fancy pewter cap is original. More likely than not, this is the tool they used to cut those shapes into the scales.

I wouldn’t mind having one of those!

Heh. The razor or the two-legged parser!

Those End Caps are awesome. I have a Greaves but it isnt nearly as pretty as that, nor does it have those end caps. It appears I have a wish list candidate. Please let us know how she shaves. (Does anybody make a Straight Razor calendar? Some of the blades that we get to look at on this site are seriously fine.)

Love me some Greaves and this one is certainly in the mix. Great job! I sit awaiting you to become tired of this one - DIBS!!!! I'll expect a PM later this century telling me it's for sale, and since I said "dibs" first, I get first shot. OK incoming PM about this Greaves in 115,000 hours, 114,999, 114,998, 114,997....

Just wanted to show off a great SOTN:
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Beautiful razor and that spine is just how I like um.

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Originally Posted by Voidmonster

Agreed. The fancy pewter cap is original. More likely than not, this is the tool they used to cut those shapes into the scales.

I wouldn’t mind having one of those!

Heh. The razor or the two-legged parser!

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Here's a film and part way through the Parser is used, a fascinating simple tool but very effective at what it does...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_kGHpsZvdWE

Thank you for th series of "The Knifemaker "

Another maker of long standing is Stan Shaw from his book I have learned a lot. Didn't have videos then..
Stan Shaw

~Richard

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Originally Posted by Geezer

Thak you for th series of "The Knifemaker "

Another maker of long standing is Stan Shaw.
Stan Shaw

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I've been watching Stan on film only this week ! I've seen him at Kelham Island Museum the last time I went there :beer1: