French or Continental light cavalry sword, Solingen made

Will M · 30th May 2022, 04:21 PM

A nice brass hilted light cavalry sword with the Solingen swirl on the blade spine. A light weight sword with a double fullered 32 3/4" curved blade. The grip is wooden core, cord bound and leather covered. 3 bar brass hilt with langets. Typical generic etching, one being the sun with a face.
I'd like to pin it down to a particular country but this has been elusive.

werecow · 31st May 2022, 11:31 PM

French XI Light Cavalry Officer Sabre maybe? e.g.

Radboud · 1st June 2022, 03:08 AM

It's a nice looking sword, the fullering on the blade is quite distinct and almost reminds me of some of the British 1788 Pattern light cavalry blades. The hilt is of the French AN XI Chasseurs a Cheval style with some noticeable differences from those we normally see.

This could mean that it is from a later period than the blade or that it's from another country that adopted (as was common in the time) the French style. What does the peen look like?

corrado26 · 1st June 2022, 10:24 AM

here is an other one with signature "Mit Gott fuer Koenig und Vaterland" and the Solingen rose at the spine. So I think this was in use with officers of Prussian militia troops.

werecow · 1st June 2022, 01:04 PM

The sun with a face could be a Solingen mark... Although it is a bit crude (see picture attached).

The "petit-Montmorency-style" secondary fuller and the fact that the main fuller ends before the guard on the OP's sabre is interesting. You don't see that all that often on these kinds of broad cutting blade. It's more curved and has a wider tip than an actual petit-Montmorency blade though.

I found a similar one on ebay with the double fullering that is listed as "French Napoleonic 1814 Lancers Sword" (see picture attached) but that attribution seems wrong so that probably doesn't help. It also lacks the ricasso block and it has a shark skin grip rather than leather.

Will M · 1st June 2022, 06:47 PM

Thanks Corrado the pommel and peen match my sword exactly. Great to know that it's a Prussian sword, I don't like the "Continental" label that says not known. Looks impressive with its brass scabbard.

30th May 2022, 04:21 PM	#1
Will M Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: In the wee woods north of Napanee Ontario Posts: 391	French or Continental light cavalry sword, Solingen made A nice brass hilted light cavalry sword with the Solingen swirl on the blade spine. A light weight sword with a double fullered 32 3/4" curved blade. The grip is wooden core, cord bound and leather covered. 3 bar brass hilt with langets. Typical generic etching, one being the sun with a face. I'd like to pin it down to a particular country but this has been elusive. Attached Images

1st June 2022, 10:24 AM	#4
corrado26 Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Black Forest, Germany Posts: 1,204	here is an other one with signature "Mit Gott fuer Koenig und Vaterland" and the Solingen rose at the spine. So I think this was in use with officers of Prussian militia troops. Attached Images

1st June 2022, 01:04 PM	#5
werecow Member Join Date: Sep 2021 Location: Leiden, NL Posts: 493	The sun with a face could be a Solingen mark... Although it is a bit crude (see picture attached). The "petit-Montmorency-style" secondary fuller and the fact that the main fuller ends before the guard on the OP's sabre is interesting. You don't see that all that often on these kinds of broad cutting blade. It's more curved and has a wider tip than an actual petit-Montmorency blade though. I found a similar one on ebay with the double fullering that is listed as "French Napoleonic 1814 Lancers Sword" (see picture attached) but that attribution seems wrong so that probably doesn't help. It also lacks the ricasso block and it has a shark skin grip rather than leather. Attached Images

31st May 2022, 11:31 PM	#2
werecow Member Join Date: Sep 2021 Location: Leiden, NL Posts: 493	French XI Light Cavalry Officer Sabre maybe? e.g.

1st June 2022, 03:08 AM	#3
Radboud Member Join Date: Sep 2021 Location: New Zealand Posts: 261	It's a nice looking sword, the fullering on the blade is quite distinct and almost reminds me of some of the British 1788 Pattern light cavalry blades. The hilt is of the French AN XI Chasseurs a Cheval style with some noticeable differences from those we normally see. This could mean that it is from a later period than the blade or that it's from another country that adopted (as was common in the time) the French style. What does the peen look like?

1st June 2022, 06:47 PM	#6
Will M Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: In the wee woods north of Napanee Ontario Posts: 391	Thanks Corrado the pommel and peen match my sword exactly. Great to know that it's a Prussian sword, I don't like the "Continental" label that says not known. Looks impressive with its brass scabbard.