French M1811 Naval Sabre? Questions

Robski55 · 2nd February 2021, 07:24 PM

Greetings All

I bought this sword out of an Nautical collection auction out of Maryland a while ago. It appears to be a M1811 French Naval Sabre that has been excavated or found under water at one point. It has been conserved and is solid. There are remnants of Japanning on the Cup. Unfortunately, all markings have been lost to corrosion.

I found a picture of this exact sword on another forum on a vendors table at the Hartford Antique Arms Show Oct. 11-12 2008.

Just wondering if anyone has any idea where this sword came from or if anyone has any info on it.

Best Regards
Rob

kronckew · 3rd February 2021, 07:28 PM

Looks like a std. early 19c French naval cutlass. The decor looks like the 1801 Napoleonic style, with that 5 lobed upper guard projection rather than the 1811 or 1833 versions.

Trafalgar didn't let many survive, at least in France. Nappy was fond of the Marines and naval units and used the survivors of Trafalgar as elite Artillery as part of his Guarde Imperiale, since he had no navy left to put them on.

I recall he took a few with him to St. Helena. Marine units maintained naval ranks and structure even after becoming part of the guard. Marine Officers used a rather distinctive very curved and clip-pointed sabre in lieu of the more delicate Naval Officers sword of the period. Lower ranks of the Crew would carry a cutlass, probably like yours.

Napoleonic style Marine Officer's sabre for illustration:

francantolin · 3rd February 2021, 08:24 PM

Hello,
it must be a french model of a boarding saber / marine,
Model 1833 called '' cuiller à pot''

CutlassCollector · 3rd February 2021, 09:28 PM

It can be hard to tell the models apart. The 1833 had a smooth rounded quillion so this is one of the earlier versions with the lobed quillion. Without any markings the length of the blade may give you a clue.

Model IX 1800 Blade: 65cm long and 5.1cm wide at ricasso
Model X 1801/2 Blade: 75cm long and 3.9cm wide
Model 1811 Blade: 67.6 long and 3.65 wide

These are much rarer than the 1833.

David

Robski55 · 9th February 2021, 04:39 AM

Thanks for the Measurements.

It is definitely an M1811.

Thanks
Rob

2nd February 2021, 07:24 PM	#1
Robski55 Member Join Date: Apr 2020 Location: Alberta Posts: 8	French M1811 Naval Sabre? Questions Greetings All I bought this sword out of an Nautical collection auction out of Maryland a while ago. It appears to be a M1811 French Naval Sabre that has been excavated or found under water at one point. It has been conserved and is solid. There are remnants of Japanning on the Cup. Unfortunately, all markings have been lost to corrosion. I found a picture of this exact sword on another forum on a vendors table at the Hartford Antique Arms Show Oct. 11-12 2008. Just wondering if anyone has any idea where this sword came from or if anyone has any info on it. Best Regards Rob Attached Images

3rd February 2021, 07:28 PM	#2
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,178	Looks like a std. early 19c French naval cutlass. The decor looks like the 1801 Napoleonic style, with that 5 lobed upper guard projection rather than the 1811 or 1833 versions. Trafalgar didn't let many survive, at least in France. Nappy was fond of the Marines and naval units and used the survivors of Trafalgar as elite Artillery as part of his Guarde Imperiale, since he had no navy left to put them on. I recall he took a few with him to St. Helena. Marine units maintained naval ranks and structure even after becoming part of the guard. Marine Officers used a rather distinctive very curved and clip-pointed sabre in lieu of the more delicate Naval Officers sword of the period. Lower ranks of the Crew would carry a cutlass, probably like yours. Napoleonic style Marine Officer's sabre for illustration: Attached Images Last edited by kronckew; 3rd February 2021 at 08:00 PM.

3rd February 2021, 08:24 PM	#3
francantolin Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 871	Hello, it must be a french model of a boarding saber / marine, Model 1833 called '' cuiller à pot''

3rd February 2021, 09:28 PM	#4
CutlassCollector Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Scotland Posts: 330	It can be hard to tell the models apart. The 1833 had a smooth rounded quillion so this is one of the earlier versions with the lobed quillion. Without any markings the length of the blade may give you a clue. Model IX 1800 Blade: 65cm long and 5.1cm wide at ricasso Model X 1801/2 Blade: 75cm long and 3.9cm wide Model 1811 Blade: 67.6 long and 3.65 wide These are much rarer than the 1833. David

9th February 2021, 04:39 AM	#5
Robski55 Member Join Date: Apr 2020 Location: Alberta Posts: 8	Thanks for the Measurements. It is definitely an M1811. Thanks Rob