GAC sabre

[Ian Knight]

This is my latest acquisition. It is a French Grenadier a Cheval sabre.
This one is the early type 2 model and was made in the Consulate period. It would have subsequently been carried by a trooper of the Grenadiers a Cheval of the Imperial Guard.

Ian

[fernando]

Very nice piece, Ian.
Pity some grip wire missing ? :o
... otherwise excelent :)

[Ian Knight]

Thank you Fernando.
There were less than 500 of the type two sabre and scabbard made, so it is a very rare item.
It is a shame that the wire is absent. I could have it replaced but I don't think I will bother.
I bought the sword at an auction in the U.K. It had been left in someone's attic for 60 years and was brown when I bought it. I have given it a light clean.
Below: The condition of the sabre when I bought it.

Ian

[fernando]

So the blade was made at Klingenthal. Is that the entire text, as shown in the picture ... no date or Couleaux Freres ?
The Versailles inscritption on the hilt; could it be that the hilt was made at Manufacture de Versaiiles or, which is more likely, these troops were stationed at Versailles barracks?
Could you show us the inspection marks (poinçons), if there are any?

[Ian Knight]

Hello Fernando,
This is the complete script on the blade. It was only used in this form for a very short amount of time.
The hilt was made at the Versailles arsenal.
The poinçons are that of Benjamine Levavasseur, directeur at Klingenthal from 1793-1803 and Jean Mouton, controlleur from 1798-1809.

Ian