Naval Officer's Sword — Louis XVI

Pre-Consulate model (around 1775–1785)

Description

After the silver sword of the America expedition, here is a more sober but equally interesting sword from the same era.

Naval officer's sword with a gilded brass mount, characteristic of the weapons carried during the reign of Louis XVI. The knob in the shape of a segmented dome, finely chiseled with a decoration of scales, is one of the emblematic attributes of the naval mounts of this period. The joining bow and the guard ring are underlined by an elegant row of five pearls.

It is important to specify that this rank of five pearls has nothing to do with the English "five balls" mentioned for the Consulate's swords. The five balls are large spheres characteristic of early Napoleonic frames, while the pearls of this sword are a fine, regular and typically Louis XVI motif. It is a classic decor already well established before 1790, which then inspired some models of the Consulate, without belonging to this period.

The fluted ebony rocket is enhanced in its center with a golden oval ring, also decorated with scales. The complete decor corresponds exactly to the model of the Navy officers' swords (1775–1780) presented in the Army Museum's exhibitions, whose specimen with a segmented knob, black rocket and blue-gold blade is considered the twin sister of the present type.

The hollow straight blade is bluish and engraved on the first third of weapon trophies, a radiant sun and leafy motifs. It is marked on the back: "Pierre Guillaume Knecht Manufacturer in Solingen". The leather tie is preserved.

The sheath, of a very rare type, consists of a steel sheet core covered with blackened leather, with a sheath and gilded brass butt.

Historical background and attribution

This type of sword is directly linked to the equipment of the officers of the French Royal Navy under Louis XVI (1775–1785). It corresponds precisely to the models presented in the "La Fayette and America" section of the Army Museum, devoted to the armament of French officers who took part in the American Expedition (1777–1783).

The specimens presented - including the Model 1 (navy officer's sword, 1775–1780) - show the same characteristics: segmented knob, fluted black rocket, scale decoration, blue-gold blade and Louis XVI mount. This sword therefore represents one of the types of weapons carried by onboard and sailing officers at the time of the American War of Independence.

Dating

France, around 1775–1785 - Louis XVI period, pre-Consulate model.

Patrimonial interest

Refined mount, naval decoration of scales, signed blue-gold blade, very rare armored sheath: a coherent and highly representative set of the weapons worn during the years before the Revolution and during the American Expedition. This is the very model that served as the basis for the development of the Consulate's mounts, without however belonging to this period.

Assessment

Louis XVI naval officers' swords similar: €1,500 to €2,200.

For this copy:

— Realistic estimate: 1,700 – 2,000 €

— Specialized sales potential: up to €2,300.