French Sword

[DhaDha]

Hello. This is out of my usual scope, but i quite like it. I bought it as a French Court Sword. I'm hoping for help with dating other than my "old" estimate and.
There are identical markings on both sides:

An inscription, three Fleur De Lis (sp?) and what looks like a sun. (Maybe Louis XIV? just a guess??)

Any comments would be welcome.

Cheers

[fernando]

The inscription contains the supplier's name and address and reads:
Givergne Md Fourbisseur Rue Vieille Boucherie à l'Épée Royale à Paris.
A mid XVIII century sword, most probably from King Louis XVI period ... Fleur de Lis and all.

[DhaDha]

Excellent. And thank you.

[Jim McDougall]

Very nice example, especially with this remarkable grouping of markings which give us the exact information we need, as Fernando has concisely detailed. It is good to see some dimension added to the rather immensely applied classification of 'old' :) and for those interested in French history or their weapons....even better both! they can follow that course to develop an interesting historical profile of this piece.
As always, we hope that information might be shared here for others pursuing data on these weapons and archived here.

Thank you DhaDha for posting this and Nando for the excellent response!

Best regards,
Jim

[M ELEY]

So good to hear from you, Jim, and I would also agree with Fernando's summation to the Sun King's era. Wasn't it common to see this marking on swords during his reign? In any case, a beautiful example of a court sword; not too 'frilly' nor overbearing. I especially like the ovoid pommel with raised cap and stylistic knuckle bows.

[DhaDha]

Thank you all for the comments. I'll learn a lot from this sword. As I have from this forum...

[Dmitry]

This a Model 1767 French cavalry or dragoon officer's sword. An excellent sword, congratulations!

[corrado26]

Rue Vieille Boucherie à l'Épée Royale .[/B]


Fernando, pas "BOUCHERIE", mais "BOUCLERIE", une petite mais importante difference

[fernando]

Fernando, pas "BOUCHERIE", mais "BOUCLERIE", une petite mais importante difference
Surely a (my) spelling flaw ;).

[ulfberth]

the maker Givergne Md Fourbisseur Rue Vieille Boucherie à l'Épée Royale à Paris worked for the French Royal court between 1774-77

[fernando]

Surely a (my) spelling flaw ;).
... Or maybe a flaw of the engraver. The street had many different names, boucherie and bouclerie included. But it all indicates that this supplier is listed as having resided in the street when it as named Vieille Boucherie.

http://www.francegenweb.org/wiki/index.php?title=Rue_de_la_Vieille_Boucherie

Udo, i find it amazing that it took you eight years to spot un (possible) faux pas ;):rolleyes: .



.

[corrado26]

Udo, i find it amazing that it took you eight years to spot un (possible) faux pas ;):rolleyes: .



.

As always, good things mostly need a long time to develop:)

[DhaDha]

Once again, fantastic information here. Thank you all.