French 1767 Hussar?

Hotspur · 7th June 2021, 06:14 AM

Posted elsewhere with only a family background before WWII.

Too few photos and not terrific detail. I could only come up with a general opinion, Petards paper and an auction (Christie's) listing.

Thoughts?

An aged reproduction with a modern India made scabbard?

GC

Jim McDougall · 7th June 2021, 06:04 PM

I REALLY wish I had Aries!!! the whole set, but then..............

As such, information on French swords to me is pretty much a 'working' familiarity.

In my opinion, this is (though crude) too attentive to nuance to be a reproduction, and the scabbard the same, too well done for India's modern commerce. With that, I had no idea India produced repros of European, especially French, swords, but I am sure there will be a fusillade of entries roaring that is WAY wrong.

While the majority of arms production in both France and England was somewhat controlled with the 'official' government venues of production, these were 'revolutionary' times, and impending war between England and France imminent. I would tend to think there were contractors and cutlers outside those channels who produced ersatz arms for the 'cause'(s).
In England I have read that various craftsmen took on 'cutler' work outside their normal scope, silversmiths making munitions grade arms etc. in these pre Napoleonic times.

In that circumstance, I recall during Vietnam, after discharge, I was working at an electronics factory where they had retooled to produce 105mm Howitzer ammunition, 30,000 units per day. During WWII, appliance factories were producing bombers and ordnance.

Thats just my take, perhaps a saber in the French 'manner' for a unit of possibly militia or other local para military?

Will M · 8th June 2021, 03:57 AM

The blade looks convincingly original as does the hilt. The scabbard leather has good age though the straps do not and the brass pieces looks surprisingly fresh and not deteriorated to the same level as the hilt. Any blade markings?
Photos are always a trap to decide condition and authenticity.
I'll have to take a look in my Petard cavalry sword books.

7th June 2021, 06:14 AM	#1
Hotspur Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Nipmuc USA Posts: 498	French 1767 Hussar? Posted elsewhere with only a family background before WWII. Too few photos and not terrific detail. I could only come up with a general opinion, Petards paper and an auction (Christie's) listing. Thoughts? An aged reproduction with a modern India made scabbard? GC Attached Images

7th June 2021, 06:04 PM	#2
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,943	I REALLY wish I had Aries!!! the whole set, but then.............. As such, information on French swords to me is pretty much a 'working' familiarity. In my opinion, this is (though crude) too attentive to nuance to be a reproduction, and the scabbard the same, too well done for India's modern commerce. With that, I had no idea India produced repros of European, especially French, swords, but I am sure there will be a fusillade of entries roaring that is WAY wrong. While the majority of arms production in both France and England was somewhat controlled with the 'official' government venues of production, these were 'revolutionary' times, and impending war between England and France imminent. I would tend to think there were contractors and cutlers outside those channels who produced ersatz arms for the 'cause'(s). In England I have read that various craftsmen took on 'cutler' work outside their normal scope, silversmiths making munitions grade arms etc. in these pre Napoleonic times. In that circumstance, I recall during Vietnam, after discharge, I was working at an electronics factory where they had retooled to produce 105mm Howitzer ammunition, 30,000 units per day. During WWII, appliance factories were producing bombers and ordnance. Thats just my take, perhaps a saber in the French 'manner' for a unit of possibly militia or other local para military?

8th June 2021, 03:57 AM	#3
Will M Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: In the wee woods north of Napanee Ontario Posts: 391	The blade looks convincingly original as does the hilt. The scabbard leather has good age though the straps do not and the brass pieces looks surprisingly fresh and not deteriorated to the same level as the hilt. Any blade markings? Photos are always a trap to decide condition and authenticity. I'll have to take a look in my Petard cavalry sword books.