Austro-hungarian Hussar Officer's Sabre, Reign Of Francis Ii, Circa 1792. 32215

AUSTRO-HUNGARIAN HUSSAR OFFICER'S SABRE, Reign of Francis II, circa 1792. 32215 Gilt bronze hilt. Hungarian-style single-branch guard. Crossguard decorated with lines and a straight quillon. Beaded guard branch. Long-tailed pommel decorated with lines and a scallop shell at the top. Pommel with the arms of the Austrian Empire. Carved ebony grip imitating filigree, with a transverse perforation for the sword knot cord near the pommel. Wide, curved, fullered Damascus steel blade, richly acid-etched along its entire length. Blade length 80.4 cm, width at the ricasso 4.5 cm. On one side, on the first half: profile of Francis II surmounted by a royal crown with, below, a trophy of arms and the inscription "FRANCIS / CUS 2 / ROM / IMP Elect / V Julÿ Com / ....", on this same side is engraved along the edge "EDIGNA TRIUMPHALS QUA CIRCUM ....". On the second half of this side: a vegetal decoration and foliage corollas, as well as a medallion representing the coronation of a queen. On the other side, on the first half: profile of Maria Theresa surmounted by a crown with the inscription "MARIA / THERESIA / Com.L.MAŸTT", below, the profile of a child and the inscription "LEOPOLD / US PALA / TINUS REG / HUNGA / ...". On the second half of this face: a series of vegetal decoration and foliage corollas, as well as a medallion depicting a tavern scene. Wooden scabbard covered in black waxed shagreen with three large gilt brass mounts, repoussé and chased with vegetal decoration and gadroons. They are linked by three splints representing gadroons in relief. Chape with a raised throat and beaded rim. Scabbard tip with a flat chape and a gilt bronze locket. Austria-Hungary. Reign of Francis II, circa 1792. Very good condition, slight wear on the blade's edge and a few spots of oxidation. HISTORICAL NOTE: Francis II, last Holy Roman Emperor, first hereditary Emperor of Austria, son of Leopold II and nephew of Marie Antoinette. The reign of Francis II (1792-1835) dates back to the Napoleonic Wars and demonstrates that relations between the Czech lands and France were not always friendly. Here is a portrait of Emperor Francis II and his era. Francis II was born on February 12, 1768, in Florence. At the age of sixteen, the young hereditary prince was sent to Vienna to live with his uncle, Joseph II. The latter entrusted him to the care of Count Francesco Colloredo, who subjected his education to rigorous discipline. Initially, the uncle criticized his nephew's character traits, but later he appreciated his discretion, rational behavior, sense of responsibility and justice, as well as his diligence. All of this was devoid of passion and sentimental fervor. After his father's death, Francis II ascended the throne in 1792 and reigned until 1835. He was crowned successively King of Hungary, Holy Roman Emperor, and King of Bohemia in 1792 in Prague. That same year, Austria and Prussia went to war against France, a conflict that was the logical outcome of Leopold II's policy as an uncompromising opponent of the revolutionary movement in France. The first war against France ended in defeat for Francis II, who was forced to cede Belgium and Lombardy to his enemy. But the wars did not end there. Two years later, Austria entered the Second Coalition War against Napoleonic France, only to suffer another defeat. The Third Coalition War was very short, lasting only four months, and ended in a crushing victory at the Battle of the Three Emperors near Slavkov, which the French know as the Battle of Austerlitz. In accordance with the Treaty of Pressburg, signed in December 1805, Francis II ceded Venetia, Istria, Dalmatia, and part of Tyrol to France and was forced to recognize the League of the Rhine, created by Napoleon and comprising the Princes of the Rhine and France. In reaction to the creation of the League, Francis II abdicated the crown of the Holy Roman Empire in 1806.