An good example of an early production French model 1845 Infantry officer’s sword made by the Klingenthal armoury between 1845 and 1850. The model 1845 was one of the most popular and widely used of the French army swords. It was in service from 1845 up to and including World War one. Some French National Guard units still use it today.
The 770mm single edged blade has twin fullers, one narrow immediately below the flat spine, the other broad and central. Both fullers run the full length of the blade into the quill point. The blade is double-edged for the last 210mm.
The spine engraving is all but polished out but it is just possible to make out the Klingenthal armoury name. The ricasso bears a clear poincon of a crowned B within an oval. This inspection stamp was used by the Klingenthal armoury from 1838 until 1850. Additional stamps are obscured by corrosion and the original red material washer. The blade (apart from a tiny area of corrosion at the base) is in very good condition.
The brass guard is richly decorated with pierced roses and laurels with a scroll quillon. The D-guard divides as it joins the capped pommel to allow for the addition of a sword knot. The pommel cap is etched with a central rose flanked by laurels. The tang of the blade is peened in the centre of the stepped oval pommel. The guard is in excellent condition. The ridged horn grip is in very good condition with some mild use related scuffs near the pommel cap and the twisted wire binding is intact and tight. There is some almost imperceptible movement in the horn grip due to shrinkage. This is only noticeable when the sword is swung forcefully.
The sabre is complete with its original pre-1855 brass mounted leather scabbard. The scabbard is in fair to good condition with wear commensurate with its age and use. There is a weak and worn area above the chape and the chape itself is a replacement. The replaced chape is somewhat amateurish but has not been fixed to the scabbard and so can be removed and replaced.
This is a fine early example of the iconic French model 1845 junior army officer’s sabre.
