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Lot 5131
A lot of two French Revolutionary Period officer's swords
8 June 2015, 10:00 PDT
San FranciscoSold for US$643.50 inc. premium
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A lot of two French Revolutionary Period officer's swords
Comprising: 1) Narrow 31 inch blade engraved with small panels of florals and panoplies. Brass hilt comprising heart-shaped guard molded with fluted borders and pierced for the lower quillon; quillons of squared section and flaring at the tips; helmet-form pommel. Grip wrapped in strands of plaited and twisted copper wire with copper wire turk's heads. 2) 31 inch straight fullered blade engraved with conventional florals, one side with small panel of mystical symbols, the other with a panoply of arms; spine signed Pierre Guillaume Knecht Fabriquant a Solingen. Brass hilt comprising asymmetrical heart-shaped guard molded with scrolling borders and, on the upper side, incorporating florals and a shell, and pierced for the lower quillon; quillon block, quillons and knucklebow molded with panels of acanthus; helmet-form pommel; checkered ebony grip, the front side inlet for an escutcheon, now replaced.
Condition: 1) Blade showing patches of pitting and staining. Guard loose. Top of tang slightly bent back. 2) Blade with patches of staining and minor pitting. Front side of grip with repaired crack.
Condition: 1) Blade showing patches of pitting and staining. Guard loose. Top of tang slightly bent back. 2) Blade with patches of staining and minor pitting. Front side of grip with repaired crack.
Footnotes
Note: See page 231-233 of Les Epees Portees In France, Des Origines A Nos Jours by Jean Lhoste for examples of this pattern. The author notes that this style of 'uniforme' sword came into usage around 1787-89 and, with variations, was in use for some 30 years. The symmetrical guard of example 1 marks it as the earlier type.








