After first Napoleon defeat, King Louis XVIII took over "Throne of France" in 1814. His Royal Guard carried this massive sword which even after second defeat of Napoleon at Waterloo returned to service as a second model. 36 inches long blade with wide fuller on both sides. Blade is nicely engraved: "Face inside the Sun", "Bourbon Crest under the Crown" and militaria on the inner side. The outer side has: "Garde du Corps du Roi" between Bourbon Lilies and some militaria. The spine of the blade is marked: "Manufacture Royale du Klingenthal August 1814" (one of the first swords made - king returned on the throne in July). Magnificent brass, gold gilded basket hilt with four branches ending in massive pommel, also gold gilded. The face of the hilt has "Bourbon Three Lilies Shield" under the Royal Crown on the background of flags and Oak leaves. Wooden, fish skin covered grip with double twisted wire wrap. There is a very interesting sword knot with gilded wire ball attached to the branches by the pommel. Steel, leather covered scabbard with three brass, gold gilded fittings. Two hanging rings.
Condition:Very good plus. Clean blade with darker spots and some corrosion by the tip. Very good engravings. Excellent bastet hilt and pommel with about 50% of gold gild remaining. Excellent grip with all leather and tight wire wrap. Excellent post - Napoleonic sword knot. Scabbard is solid but all exposed leather is gone exposing iron scabbard below. Brass fittings show some gold gilding, the bottom one has some dings on inner side and one door dent on the outer. (Ref. Les Sabres - Portes par L'Armee Francaise by Jean Lhoste p. 433)
Magnificent restoration period sword which survived return of Napoleon.
