The fine Epirot silver hilt elaborately modeled with complex baroque vine and shell work, with characteristic rectangular pommel and guard with rolled quillon ends terminating in fully-modeled dragons heads. The earlier blade English, likely cavalry, multifullered and inscribed at the forte, HONI SOIT QUI MAL Y PENSE (the motto of the Order of the Garter: Dishonered Be He Who Thinks Ill Of It) beneath an etched and gilt panel, shortened when mounted, and retipped with neoclassical double cusp. Minor wear overall, gilding worn. Late 18th-early 19th century. English blades were especially popular in the Mediterranean, due to their temper. Such blades were often shortened for use at sea by veteran Greek and Italian sailors; shorter, curved blades did not catch easily in a ships rigging, as longer blades did. Overall length 70 cm / 27 1/2". Condition II