Scarce French Model 1833 naval boarding cutlass, known in France as “Le Sabre d' Abordage.”
The 680mm falchion blade has a thick, flat spine and broad single fuller on both sides. The single-edged blade is double-edged for the last 130mm and terminates in a hatchet point. The blade was service sharpened.
The forte of the blade bears a large anchor on both sides and the ricasso is stamped with two Klingenthal inspection poincon, one of which belongs to the controller, Simon Wideman. Simon Wideman was a controller at the Klingenthal factory from 1829 until 1843. The obverse ricasso bears the numeral 11. The blade is in excellent condition for its 180 plus years of age and use, with only a few minor patches of tarnish and shallow pitting towards the point and some sharpening scratches.
The steel bowl guard is in great condition with wear to the Japanned finish consistent with use. The rear of the beaked quillon is stamped with three poincon and the front of the beak bears an additional poincon and the numeral 2. The blade is firm in the hilt.
The cutlass is complete with its rarely encountered scabbard. The scabbard is in good condition and the stitching is intact. The cutlass sheathes and draws smoothly.
This is an excellent example of an increasingly hard to find French boarding cutlass complete with scabbard and with plenty of inspection stamps and clearly etched anchors.
