[Billman]

After the July Revolution of 1830 in France, Louis Philippe was crowned King of France. One of the things he did was replace the fleur de lis by a coq (rooster) as the emblem of the monarchy. Thus, for example, the hand guards on swords (e.g. the 1817 pattern épée) have the fleur de lis cast into (or soldered onto?) them pre 1833, and the coq post 1833 (although it looks more like an Imperial Eagle). Like the coq (if it is such??) on the V&A cochoir, it is facing to the left, although often the head is turned to the right.

The coq used by Coulaux after they took over the works in 1838 was similar, but facing to the right (the reverse of the coq(??) on the V&A tool).

I have contacted the textiles department of the museum of Glascow, who confirm the dress of the men and women etched into the design on the blade are consistent with those being worn c 1700, in particular the men's wigs and the woman's bonnet. This supports the date on the blade of 1702, and thus points to it being genuinely of this date, and not a later 'fake'...

The coq (??) thus indicates that although bearing German text, the blade well may have been made in France, probably in Alsace, but over 20 years before the Royal Arms Manufactury was established in Klingenthal.