Fantastic saber from French Revolution period used by a National Guards of National Volunteers Officers, pattern 1792. 27 inches long and 1.5 inches blade blued and gold engraved on both sides. Both sides of ricasso have nice gold geometrical decoration. The blued part of the blade is decorated with scrolling foliage in gold. Magnificent brass basket hilt with Marching Lion in the foliage of Oak leaves. The pommel is in the form of Lion's head. Wooden grip entirely wrapped with fancy, twisted copper wire. Black leather scabbard with brass fitting.
Condition: excellent for its age. Blade becoming uniformly grey, but no rust or pitting. Bluing and gold are still on the blade but bluing is rather faded. Basked hilt and pommel without any damage or deformation and have some traces of gold, specially in the crevices of the guard. Grip is near excellent with copper wire a little loose but all wire is there and nothing missing. Scabbard is excellent, probably the best 200 years leather I've seen with no cracks or damage. Brass fittings are solid without damage and still showing traces of gold. (Ref. "Les Sabres - Portes par L'Armee Francaise" by Jean Lhoste p. 362)
Magnificent French Revolution saber which probably could tell lot of stories.
