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Title 1st Empire naval officer's (possibly a surgeon) sword, Year 12 model
Nationality French
Period c 1800
Price £1400.00

This is a senior administrative officer's sword, probably either a surgeon or an apothecary, viz the twin-headed serpent on the guard. The little dolphin head at the end of the knuckle bow by the pommel indicates the naval branch of service. The mounts are ormolu and the grip is ebony.

The blade (84.5 cm long) is of stiffened diamond section, retains most of the blue and gilt finish and all the factory polish. 'SH' is engraved at the forte, almost certainly for the Hoppe family of Solingen. The only real fault with this otherwise excellent sword is the scabbard leather which is very frail: most of the nappe is absent, with the seam largely opened; there is also a small lateral split in the body roughly midway.

Bottet's fine book L'Arme Blanche des Armees Francaises 1789-1886 describes this sword on page 40.

If you want to comment on this item—re quality, age, etc—please email me.


[Edged Weapons : Swords : French : 19th Century]

testimonials

The buckle arrived today in good order. Many thanks. I will keep an eye on your website for other buckles that may interest me...

A N, UK, 30.09.2008

Hanger arrived safe and sound 11.30ish today. Very pleased, it's as expected. Your excellent pics make all the difference in terms of confident buying over the net. As a matter of interest, the frog, which as you said is very a/f, is, as you thought, 'spot on'. On closer inspection it is a mk.1 Naval Frog, designated 'for cutlasses'. Date seems around 1860ish give or take.

By the way, I think your site is very user friendly. Seems to work much better than many and up to date, a rarity!!!

C W, UK, 20.04.2006

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