Heavy cavalry sabre, 1822 model, French (c 1822)

Title	Heavy cavalry sabre, 1822 model
Nationality	French
Period	c 1822

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This replaced the line model of 1816 - a superb weapon, with better balance than its predecessor and a lightly curved blade, taken directly from the pattern of the Grenadier a Cheval of the First Empire. This sword was manufactured by the famous Coulaux family of Klingenthal in Alsace, and is marked as such on the back of the blade.

It is distinguished from the light cavalry version by having a quadruple bar hilt as opposed to the triple bar of the light cavalry.

This sabre was also carried by the Currassiers de la Garde du Roi, the Currassiers of the 2nd Imperial Guard, the Chasseurs d'Afrique, the Lancers and, finally, the Garde Republicaine a Cheval de Paris for present-day ceremonial occasions.

There are French inspectors' poincons at the base of the blade (97 cm), one being that of F.J. Bish, who retired in 1822, thus dating the sword. The date of the manufacture would appear to have been erased, but the blade is in superb shape, with much of its original polish. Note that this is a period replacement blade, the original possibly having been broken in combat or practice. The blade has been set slightly awkwardly in the hilt and the pommel has had some rather rough treatment when the replacement was done (see photographs).

The platform of the guard has been bent towards the blade somewhat from an originally fairly flat position. There is some damage to the leather and wood directly under the pommel where it joins the guard. The grip is a little loose due to shrinkage, I suspect. It is missing its scabbard, but priced at less than half of one with a scabbard.

See Christian Aries' excellent volumes on French military swords for historical information.

If you want to comment on this item—re quality, age, etc—please email me.

[Edged Weapons : Swords : French : 19th Century]

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