This European Napoleonic Wars period Infantry Briquet bears many similarities to the French AN IX (Year 9) briquet dating to 1800-1801.
The 595mm single edged blade is the same length as the French AN IX briquet but the curved blade has a narrow single fuller beneath the flat spine, unlike that of the French model.
The blade appears to have the remnants of a polished out maker’s inscription on the ricasso. The blade has been service sharpened and is still very sharp. There are small edge nicks on the blade consistent with use and the blade is in very good condition with minimal patches of age related tarnish. The last 12cm of the top edge are sharpened.
The solid brass hilt has the 36 ribs and trumpet quillion of a regulation French AN IX briquet. The cross-piece is stamped with the rack number “62.” French swords of the 1st Empire had no regimental marking, only a rack/weapon number.
The “D” guard is stamped with two poincons, an oval containing a crown above the letter “M” and a crown above the letters “R.I.” The front of the cross guard above the ricasso is stamped with the number “55” and what looks like a letter “B.”
This could be an early French naval cutlass or infantry briquet but it could just as easily be from any of the many European countries that adopted this style of side arm at the beginning of the 19th Century. Research on the inspection stamps will ultimately identify its origins, making this sword an ideal and interesting research project for any collector of Napoleonic era weaponry.
