EL7080 - A French cavalry officer's 'fantaisie' sword, circa 1895-1918. These swords were of no fixed design, depending purely on the whims of the officer, but do tend to follow a formula of brass/bronze hilt with multiple side bars, coupled with a plain either straight or curved blade. This example has a fairly traditional blade style following the standard 1822 pattern with Montmorency secondary fuller behind the main one, with elongated hatchet point. The blade is 36 inches long and devoid of any etching, only having a maker's stamp at the ricasso, and it is firm in the hilt with no movement. The hilt is in good condition, except for a little deformation to the outer branches, but it is all solid and sound, and the grip is horn, with the wire wrap intact. The officer's initials are engraved on the pommel end of the back piece - a typically French feature. The leather sword knot is still in place, though fragile. Together with its matching scabbard, which was clearly nickel plated originally, but now slightly corroded bare steel, which could be cleaned up easily.
