Hudssar Officer's Saber, 1st Empire

This is a beautiful light cavalry officer's saber, probably a hussar's saber, dating from the period of the 1st Empire. Given the quality of the mount and the fineness of the carving, it is probably a high-ranking officer's saber and in any case, it is certainly a private order. The state of preservation is remarkable.
BLADE: unsurprisingly, it is a blade from Solingen, it bears on the back the classic engraving depicting a branch called "bunch of grapes" and under the earpiece we can read Va AK & F which according to some authors would correspond to "Veuve A. Knecht et Fils". A. Knecht designating Abraham Knecht (active 1735-1770) or possibly, although less likely, Johann Abraham Knecht (active 1740-1800). Other authors suggest Abraham Kirschbaum the younger (active 1170-1809), but documents are lacking on a continuation of the marketing by his widow… These details are not very important = the blade comes in any case from a furbisher from Solingen, who worked for France.
The blade has a wide hollow face along its entire length, and a fullerthat emphasizes the back edge over two-thirds of the length. The back itself is slightly rounded, according to the Germanic fashion of the time. The last thirdof th eblade  has a counter-edge, characteristic of the blades of hussar sabers, and the point ends in a “carp tongue”.
The first third of the blade is blued and gild and bears the classic decorations of trophies of arms and plant motifs, typical of the last quarter of the 18th century and the very beginning of the 19th. Blade length = 84 cm, width at the heel 3 cm, thickness at the heel 8 mm
HILT : It is a guard of the year IX type, called "à la chasseur" which has a main branch and two secondary branches. Very large almond-shaped orillons, with on the external orillon a decoration of a laurel branch and a finely chiseled oak branch.
The cap is in the shape of a lion's head, it is fixed to the grip by a screw.
The grip is covered with leather, with a twisted copper filigree, surrounded by smooth copper wires.
SCABBARD : it is made of brass, decorated with sobriety and elegance of friezes, oak leaves, and an arboreal plant motif at the level of the last third.

In conclusion, we have a saber of beautiful quality, in an excellent state of conservation which will find a place of choice in a collection of weapons related to the 1st Empire, or with the Light Cavalry.
Free shipping for France.
Ref BM 25/2-04