I offer for sale, a rare and unique, early 19th century - Bourbon Restoration Period, French Cavalry Officer's sabre, by a Sedan sword cutler - Gourdin, the sword in the 'English style'.
This non-regulation, decorated sword is a private purchase, high-ranking officer's variant of light cavalry sabre that does not carry the legal cursive script on the flat spine of the blade, detailing the exact state arsenal and date of manufacture, but instead shows a fletched arrow, to signify velocity, sharpness or esoteric, bespoke smithing.
This sword is in very good overall condition, with a nice tight fit between the blade and the hilt and no discernible distortion to the blade, or damage to its cutting edge.
The unique hilt is very much in the English Restoration c.1820's style, with the Greek Key design of the rear quillon and the 'beaked' grip and pommel.
The substantial grip of the sabre appears to be made of horn and has a lovely cross-checkered pattern cut into it. The hilt is of Steel construction, the broad multi-faceted backstrap extending over the pommel and secured behind the cross-guard by a plain ferrule. The cross-guard itself is robust and as stated in the English style, leading to a 'P' shaped knuckle-guard, which is re-enforced where it meets the cross-guard and has an oval cutout for a sword strap. Extending forwards off the cross-guard are two Demilune shaped, langets.
The slightly curved, tapering blade is a long, 38 inches in length, with a broad, single fuller cut into it, which terminates some 6 inches short of the blade tip. There is also a second, shallow fuller cut into the blade running in front of the spine, that begins 9.5inches forwards of the hilt and continues for a distance of 17 inches. The narrow blade measures one inch across at the ricasso. The blade decoration still retains traces of its original gold gilding.
The surface of the blade is highly etched for most of its length with a number of geometric and floral motifs, a Stand of Arms, a Crowned cartouche bearing three Fleur de Lis with flags and two drums thereunder and another cartouche bearing the words: " gourdin marchand fourbisseur a sedan" (translates to: Gourdin, Manufacturer and Supplier of Sedan). Gourdin was a sword-cutler active in the Sedan in this period, North-East region of France, Champagne-Ardenne district, on the border with Luxemburg.
This sabre comes complete with its original Steel scabbard, which is undecorated and has a single, loose, suspension ring. The scabbard is in generally good condition, with only two small areas of cracking to the welding-line of the scabbard.
Altogether, a rare and highly unique, private purchase and non-regulation - French Bourbon Restoration Period sabre c.1820 - 1830, but in the English Restoration style and by a Sedan Cutler.
Price: £1,595 plus posting cost within the UK.
