French sword(?)

[corrado26]

I got this sword this morning. Its total length is 915 mm, the blade has 750 mm and the weight is 401 g. Is it really a French item? Remarks/opinions are invited.
corrado26

[fernando]

French ...why not, Udo ? Have you looked at pictures in AVB Norman's work, namely plate 145 ?
All i can say for sure is that it is an extremely fine example ... wherever it is from :cool: .

[Will M]

Very exquisite sword, if you could only have one of this type it definitely suffice.
Try searching here: https://www.rct.uk/

[Yvain]

Some times ago, I studied a shell-guard really similar to the one on your sword. It is conserved in the Bernard d'Agesci museum in Niort, and is described as French, around 1750 - 1760 : http://expo-ornement.edel.univ-poitiers.fr/notice-8.html

[M ELEY]

A most excellent example, Udo! Agree with Will that this would be an excellent example of the type as a whole.

[corrado26]

Many thanks for these convincing and helpful informations.
corrado26

[Peter Andeweg]

A 18th century French officers sword indeed, I sold a similar example in 2017, some ballistoil applied with a soft toothbrush would really help conservate the gold.

.

[Hotspur]

Origin may be determined by the base metal and whether it is silver or Britannia metal. As it shows no (apparent to me) motif for the republic, Louis XV era and a French officer's smallsword fits pretty well.

Cheers
GC

Check it with a magnet, as it might also be cast steel. That would be likely French made.