Silver-hilted small-sword & scabbard, retailed by Bernard Bennett, Dublin c1762 to 1772, with colichemarde blade etched with scrolls, celestial masks and a bird over the forte, silver hilt with gadrooned borders cast and chased in low relief, comprising 'boatshell' guard, a pair of straight quillons with slightly recurved terminals, knuckle-guard, a pair of small plain arms, spirally moulded pommel, and the grip bound with plaited wire and ribband between moulded collars, in its tan parchment-covered wooden scabbard with matching silver locket (with belt hook) and chape, the former punched with the retailer's details ("Berd Bennett Near Essex Bridge Dublin”)

1762, 17th April Faulkner's Dublin Journal, Marriage: Last Saturday night in Eustace-street, Mr. Bernard Bennet, Sword Cutler, in Essex-street to Miss. Mary Johnson Daughter of William Johnson, Gold-lace-Weaver of said street.

Dublin directory.  Relevant entries:

1768 - p 22 cutlers (sword) Bennet (Rich.) Essex -St. Alterations "read For Richard Bennet, read Bernard Bennet, Sword-cutler, Essex-Street Bridge.
1771 Bennet (Bernard) Sword-cutler, Essex St. 

1772, Saturday 28^th March, The Dublin Gazette, bottom of last column of page 3: "Genuine Eau de Luce, as imported from Paris, is sold only by Bernard Bennet, Sword-cutler in Essex St, Dublin……

Therefore, in business in Dublin (Essex Bridge/Essex St, probably a shop where the street joins the bridge) 1762 to 1772.

Sword length (top of pommel to point) 99.7 cm

Blade length (back of forte to point) 82.3

Blade width at hilt 34

Scabbard length (back of throat to chape) 82.7

Vg condition.

(For a very similar example but missing its scabbard & with worn blade etching see lot 102W Bonhams 20/7/2011.  HM London 1757 maker’s mark probably Thomas Dealtry.  £1,200 including commission)