---
title: French Smallsword
author: Metropolitan Museum of Art
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/13726/french-smallsword/
format: machine-readable-alternate
updated: 1970-01-01
---
# French Smallsword
_Authored by Metropolitan Museum of Art_
## Image File
[](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/13726.jpg)
## Image Caption
A French smallsword from the 18th Century CE. Smallswords developed from the rapier, but were lighter and more refined. Perfect for duelling and fencing, the often elegantly decorated swords became the ubiquitous weapon of gentlemen in the 18th Century CE.
Steel blade. Hilt and scabbard decorated with [silver](https://www.worldhistory.org/Silver/), [gold](https://www.worldhistory.org/gold/), wood, textile, and fishskin. Made in [Paris](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/paris/) by C. Liger (l. c. 1770–93 CE). Dated c. 1780 CE. 96.8 cm (38 1/8 in) x 11.4 cm (4 1/2 in). Weight: 368.54 g (13 oz). Collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
## Cite This Work
### APA
Art, M. M. o. (2021, March 25). French Smallsword. *World History Encyclopedia*.
### Chicago
Art, Metropolitan Museum of. "French Smallsword." *World History Encyclopedia*, March 25, 2021. .
### MLA
Art, Metropolitan Museum of. "French Smallsword." *World History Encyclopedia*, 25 Mar 2021, .
## License & Copyright
[Original image](https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/32526) by **Metropolitan Museum of Art**. Submitted by [Arienne King](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/ava.spartan.117/ "User Page: Arienne King"), published on 25 March 2021. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Public Domain](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_domain). This item is in the public domain, and can be used, copied, and modified without any restrictions. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.