The model An XI sword was so called because it was originally designed in the eleventh year of the Revolutionary Calendar (1804). The sword was approved on the 22nd September 1804 and produced from October 1804 until 1816.
The 957mm straight, single edged blade has a flat spine and twin fullers that continue to the service sharpened hatchet point. Around 1815-1816, the original hatchet points of these swords were ground to spear points. The blade was made at the Klingenthal armoury in November, 1814 and bears the clear and deeply struck inspection stamps of François Louis Lobstein, Lt. Col. Etienne Borson, and Jean Georges Bick. The spine is clearly engraved with the Klingenthal armoury name and manufacture date.
The blade retains its original leather washer and is in excellent condition with light speckles of pale grey tarnish.
The hilt was produced by the Versailles armoury. The barred arco guard is clearly stamped with the rack number 350, an inspection poincon and the Versailles armoury name. The poincon of Lt. Col. Etienne Borson (Klingenthal Director) is found on the back of the beaked quillon. The front of the quillon bears three stamped letters, H, B & V. The inside of the guard is stamped with a V and what looks to be a lower case “b.” The grip collar bears a worn stamp, possibly a C or the numeral 6 and the pommel of the hilt bears an X and what looks to be a partially struck C. The peen is undisturbed.
The leather wrapped grip is in very good condition and retains its original twisted wire. The blade is firm in the hilt.
The sword is complete with a third pattern scabbard. These scabbards were officially adopted in 1816 however, it is known that these scabbards were in service in 1814. Examples of these scabbards were also recovered from the Waterloo battlefield. The first ring band is stamped with the number 974 and the shoe of the scabbard bears the number 236 below the letter G. This could be a troop designation and rack number. The shoe also bears the poincon of François Louis Lobstein. The scabbard is in very good condition, free from dents or damage and with only mild age related speckling and very shallow pitting towards the bottom.
This is a guaranteed genuine Napoleonic Wars Cuirassiers sword dating from 1814. It is one of the finest examples that I have seen and very well marked.
