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D2006-CMD-1097
French Infantry Sword (à la mousquetaire)
D2006-CMD-1097

French Infantry Sword (à la mousquetaire)

Date1720-1750
OriginEurope, France
MediumIron,steel and brass
DimensionsOverall: 36", Hilt: 6 1/2", Blade: 28 7/8" x 1 1/8"
Credit LineMuseum Purchase
Object number2006-63
DescriptionFrench Infantry hanger/smallsword with all hilt elements of cast brass, including a plain egg-shaped pommel, plain knucklebow-quillon-quillon block, spiral writhen grip and a somwhat more elaborate counterguard with a raised border. Petalled design to the quillon block washer. Its blade is triangular in crossection with its medial ridge offset towards the quillon.
Label TextBy the French and Indian War, this pattern of soldier’s sword, with its all cast-brass hilt, was nearing the end of a long period of use. An example was recovered from the 1690 shipwreck which was carrying militiamen from Dorchester, Massachusetts on a doomed expedition to attack the French at Quebec. These attractive swords represent a very inexpensive but robust version of the contemporary smallsword, perfect for a soldier serving in the colonies. Its blade, with a prominent off-center ridge running down one side, is very unusual.
ProvenanceEx. Warren Moore Collection (plated in his Weapons of the American Revolution, pp. 161 (E-64) and color plate #2).