Frenche Hussar Saber Called "an Iv"

This french Hussar's saber is classically called model An IV although it is very close to the so-called 1786 model from which it directly derives. It is a regulatory manufacture of the Klingenthal Manufacture, which can be dated with certainty between 1793 and 1797 and more precisely probably in 1794-1795, since in 1793, the Manufacture was seriously lacking in copper and therefore brass, and the brass parts of the scabbards were replaced by sheet of iron.
BLADE : This is the regulatory blade identical to that of the 1786 model, with a large hollow side. The large "fleur-de-lis" has obviously disappeared, it is replaced by an inscription related to contemporary events: Internal face "Rep." for "Republic" and external face "Fran. se » for « Française » The back of the blade is marked « KLINGENTHAL » in capital letters, as on the 1786 model. This writing is listed at the Manufacture as having been used between 1783 and 1795.
On the external face, we find on the one hand the very worn punch of F.Bisch, controller from 1792 to July 1798, in its version of the B surmounted by a Phrygian cap, and on the other hand the punch with the K of control of Klingenthal which is the mark of the military reception, which we find on the weapons of the Manufacture during the period when the military inspectors were abolished (1793-1798) The blade shows signs of oxidation, it is obviously a weapon which saw the battlefields under the Directory, the Consulate and of course the Empire. Blade length 80.2 cm, Width near the guard 3.8 cm, thickness near the guard = 8.4 mm
GUARD : It is a brass guard, with a single branch, identical to that of the 1786 model. The quillon ends with a faceted button. The knuckle bow joins the end of the long-tailed cap. On the outer face of the guard branch, there is a remnant of a very worn punch mark which seems to be that of Bisch.
GRIP : it is made of wood covered with leather without wire binding. The strap hole seen on the 1786 model no longer exists, it is one of the rare differences with the gripof the 1786 model.
SCABBARD : It is a wooden scabbard, covered with sewn leather, and having 2 large brass parts on which the suspension rings are fixed. The end of the chape is worn, and part of the iron comb has been leveled and consolidated with tin, which is clearly an old repair, called "field repair ", that is to say carried out during the military campaigns of the Revolution and the Empire.

In conclusion, it is a beautiful regulation french hussar saber. It is the witness of a difficult period for the Klingenthal Manufacture, and for France in general. This saber has certainly known the battlefields of the time, and we will forgive it for not being in an impeccable condition. If a weapon has been to war, it obviously cannot be in a brand new condition...
Ref AMD-25/2-04
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