Help identifying a sword

[Jim McDougall]

After seeing the example similar posted by Gav on the ethnographic forum I am rethinking my suggestion of sosun pattah blade. As he has noted, these cartouches do appear on Ottoman yataghan blades, which makes entirely more sense.
As mentioned, the French were extremely active in the Napoleonic period in the Balkans, and thier Illryian regiments of course often used yataghan type weapons. Officers of course were inclined toward these courtly hunting type hangers and some, as the one I previously described, of sabre length.
Again, that particular sword was distinctly European made of forged steel and with European markings. These Ottoman blades may well have been procured through makers in Ottoman regions or perhaps diplomatically obtained.

Most interesting sword, and it would be great to learn more on the motif which is seen in the mounts. In France, just as in much of Europe in the latter part of the 18th and into early 19th century, there was a great attraction to occult and oriental esoterica. These elements had not only become in vogue in the private sector, but had entered even military fashion increasingly throughout the 18th century. Much of this is seen with the cabbalist type markings on blades and certainly in motif in private swords of smallsword and court forms.

Again as mentioned, the military panoplies, helmet, neoclassical themes and zoomorphic image as well as the drag on the chape of the scabbard and military carrying trappings would in my opinion signal European use.

All best regards,
Jim