Colichemarde

Colichemarde is a type of small sword (often written "smallsword") blade that was popular from the late 17th to the mid-18th century.

Its lighter weight, shorter length and superior balance, compared to the rapier, allowed faster and more accurate movement of the blade.

The colichemarde blade configuration is sometimes credited to Graf von Königsmark (perhaps Otto Wilhelm Königsmarck), owing to the two names' similarity in pronunciation.

The widespread misapprehension that the colichemarde quickly ceased to be produced after 1720 dates to the opinion given by Sir Richard Burton in his Book of the Sword (1884).

Officers in North America favoured the colichemarde during the 1754–1763 conflict there, known in the United States as the French and Indian War.

Colichemarde smallsword with a silver guard, 18th century. The abrupt narrowing of the blade, the defining feature of the colichemarde, is visible. Vevey historical museum.
Two views of the same weapon.