Napoleonic saber, but from where?

Oliver Pinchot · 25th April 2020, 07:03 PM

Thanks for the observations. Clearly, it is Napoleonic and a private purchase piece. The chape is not deformed, that's how it's made. Germanic or Dutch makes sense, Alsace is interesting. Any thoughts on the unusual beaded guard and rather French langets?
Here are closeups of the hilt (interesting piercing in the guard) and the etched panels on either side of the blade. At about the midpoint, there is a blank section, ostensibly for the owner's name. The etching is quite good, elaborate and well-detailed but generic. So far as I can see, there are no distinctive characteristics in it which would help determine its origin.

Jimbob, you out there?!

ulfberth · 25th April 2020, 08:19 PM

Hello again ,
this type of guard is also known by the French as garde perlé ( guard with pearls ) the form and style of the guard is French or French inspired and is found during the Directoire period when Napoleon was Director of France.
The pierced crossguard is as sometimes found on luxury saber's, the engraving on the blade however is not typical for the period it looks in style a bit more like luxury saber's around the 1830's, changing blades when saber's were worn more generations was not uncommon. That being said it does not mean that the blade can't be late 18th C , its the decoration that is not like most blades of this period.

Oliver Pinchot · 25th April 2020, 08:45 PM

Thanks, Ulfberth.
In fact the blade is etched rather than being engraved. It may be later, perhaps done during the working life of the sword. However, it does shows wear so perhaps it is original to it. Also, the blade has been sharpened just for the last few inches, rather than its entire length.

25th April 2020, 07:03 PM	#1
Oliver Pinchot Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 464	Thanks for the observations. Clearly, it is Napoleonic and a private purchase piece. The chape is not deformed, that's how it's made. Germanic or Dutch makes sense, Alsace is interesting. Any thoughts on the unusual beaded guard and rather French langets? Here are closeups of the hilt (interesting piercing in the guard) and the etched panels on either side of the blade. At about the midpoint, there is a blank section, ostensibly for the owner's name. The etching is quite good, elaborate and well-detailed but generic. So far as I can see, there are no distinctive characteristics in it which would help determine its origin. Jimbob, you out there?! Attached Images Last edited by Oliver Pinchot; 25th April 2020 at 08:09 PM.

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25th April 2020, 08:19 PM	#2
ulfberth Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Posts: 413	Hello again , this type of guard is also known by the French as garde perlé ( guard with pearls ) the form and style of the guard is French or French inspired and is found during the Directoire period when Napoleon was Director of France. The pierced crossguard is as sometimes found on luxury saber's, the engraving on the blade however is not typical for the period it looks in style a bit more like luxury saber's around the 1830's, changing blades when saber's were worn more generations was not uncommon. That being said it does not mean that the blade can't be late 18th C , its the decoration that is not like most blades of this period.

25th April 2020, 08:45 PM	#3
Oliver Pinchot Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 464	Thanks, Ulfberth. In fact the blade is etched rather than being engraved. It may be later, perhaps done during the working life of the sword. However, it does shows wear so perhaps it is original to it. Also, the blade has been sharpened just for the last few inches, rather than its entire length.