French Sabre for I.D.
 

Hi everyone, I am getting brave, this is my 4th venture onto the site! This time I shall appreciate any info I can get on a French Sabre, purchased from a dealer who said it dated from the 1820's and had been used in North Africa. The edge has nicks which may indicate battle use, or a clumsy owner.
The pics which I shall attempt to attach show:the letters "L G" which may be the initials of an owner; a tiny B in a circle (very hard to photograph!); on the inside of another bar there are "44", a star and what may be an anchor, and another "B".
Thanks to all in anticipation of your assistance.

Brian

Seems to me like a French Napoleonic sabre mod. AN XI, used by light cavalry such as Chasseurs (Hunters), Dragoons and Hussars. Obviously made in Solingen, and yet I find it strange not to see the date of manufacture inscribed on the blade's spine...

Nice saber!

Manuel Luis

It is indeed a French An XI light cavalry sword. The blade was made in Solingen during the French control period by Kirschbaum, Schimmelbush and Company, and it was hilted in Klingenthal - see the stamp of Krantz (K under star), Bick Jean-Georges (B with laurels) and cursive B for Bisch Joseph Ambroise.

The letters LG on the hilt probably means "Leib Garde" (garde du corps - body guards in German). The swords was probably made for the guard unit of one of the German states of the Rhine Confederacy (1806-1813). These states were allies of Napoleon until the German uprising of 1813.
Krantz was the military Inspector of Klingenthal from 1812 to 1814, this allows to date your sword during the period 1812-1813.

Nice sword.

Jean

Hi Brian,
I have sent you a PM.
Fernando

Very nice piece Brian, and some very informative replies to your questions.
Lets see some more of your goodies!
Regards Stu :)

French Sabre for I D
 

Many thanks to those who replied to my enquiry. Much appreciated.
Brian

Jean,
Thank you so much for this perfectly detailed assessment! These are truly beautiful sabres, and with this detailed history, a verifiably important Napoleonic piece.

All very best regards,
Jim

By the way, I have a translation problem: what is the most appropriate English term equivalent to "Garde du Corps" when a regiment is concerned?
Maybe "Life Guards" is more appropriate than "Body Guards" ?

Pity for the poor alien ;)

Jean

I guess the correct english equivalence would be "Corps Guard" ... referring to the Guard of determined Corps.
The term corps also exists in english and is used in Army structures.
Fernando

In France Garde du Corp du Roi, in Spain it was Guardia del Cuerpo del Rey, in English the exact translation would have been "Guard of the King's Body"., ie. the King's Body Guard

Best

M