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Sword 1949-181
French Infantry Sword
Sword 1949-181

French Infantry Sword

Dateca.1740-1760
OriginEurope, France
MediumSteel, brass, iron and wood
DimensionsOverall: 33 1/2"; Blade: 27 1/4" x 1 1/4"
Credit LineMuseum Purchase
Object number1949-181
DescriptionInfantry sword with straight blade, concave cutting edge on both sides back to counter guard. Hilt of brass in "D" guard form with heart-shaped counterguard concave panels on inside of counterguard. Grip of wood wrapped with twisted brass wire, and has inscribed ferrules at the top and bottom of the grip. The wire is believed to be original.
Label TextWith a full “heart” shaped guard of cast brass, this hanger is of the sort carried by French grenadiers in the regular army. Britain used a strikingly similar sword at the time, but those differ from the French version in small details. Though examples have been observed with etched blades, this example’s straight blade is plain, with a medial flat running between its two sharpened edges. In superb condition, this hanger retains its original grip binding of twisted brass wire.
MarkingsNone found
ProvenanceNot known.