The blade of a sword.
1409. Durham Acc. Roll, in Eng. Hist. Rev. (1899), XIV. 521. Et soluta Johanni Felanceby pro ii swerdblad pro les belowes [of the forge], iid.
1545. Rates of Custome Ho., b vj b. Knyues called swerdblades the dossen vi.s. viii.d.
1620. in Foster, Eng. Factories Ind. (1906), 215. There is scarce a kniffe or a swordblade in the fleete.
a. 1700. Evelyn, Diary, 30 Sept. 1644. The Mills where they hammer and polish the sword-blades.
1784. Cowper, Task, II. 318. It [sc. satire] may correct a foible, may chastise The freaks of fashion, regulate the dress, Retrench a sword-blade, or displace a patch.
1842. Borrow, Bible in Spain, xxxvi. In old times … the sword-blades of Toledo were held in great estimation.
1852. Thackeray, Esmond, III. xiii. She … turned pale at the sight of her brother and kinsman, drawn swords, broken sword-blades, and papers yet smouldering in the brazier.
b. attrib. Sword-blade bond, note, one of the securities issued by the Sword-blade Company, a speculative company in London incorporated 15 Sept. 1691 for the manufacture of hollow sword-blades in the North of England, which failed and was taken over by London merchants who speculated in forfeited lands in Ireland.
[1703. Jrnls. Ho. Commons Ireland, 9 Oct., 331/1. The Governor and Company for hollow Sword-Blades in England.]
1707. Luttrell, Brief Rel. (1857), VI. 192. It’s said a quo warranto will he brought against the sword blade company.
1708. Lond. Gaz., No. 4422/8. Lost…, between the Mine-Adventure-Office on Snow-hill, and the Sword-Blade-Office in Birchin-lane, a … Pocket-Case, in which were the following Notes:… Three Sword-Blade-Notes,… No. 41. for 12l. 10s., No. 19. for 23l. 10s., No. — for 30l.
1725. in J. Collyer, Rep. Cases Crt. Chancery (1847), II. 363, note. A. B., being ill of the sickness whereof he died … said, ‘Now, my dear Ann, take these (viz. a bank note and a sword-blade bond), they are yours.’
