French Court Sword Of An Officer In The Service Of The King, Louis XV Period – Circa 1740-1760

A rare and elegant 18th-century French court sword, preserved in remarkable condition, combining iron and silver for a striking and remarkable result, complete with its original scabbard and suspension lock. The hilt features a "musketeer-style" guard, entirely chased and pierced in remarkably fresh iron, adorned with geometric patterns and florets. This openwork ironwork is particularly noteworthy: this material, significantly more difficult to work than silver, testifies to a high level of craftsmanship and first-rate armorer's skill. The guard consists of a single branch finely decorated with a wavy frieze, a pommel, and a finely pierced symmetrical shell, a characteristic combination of fine hilts from the mid-18th century. The grip is adorned with silver filigree and inlaid with silver, held at its ends by two silver bishop's caps. These functional elements serve to connect the grip to the pommel and ricasso while protecting and securing the wire wrapping. The triangular blade, exceptionally long for this type of sword (88.7 cm), is engraved on the first third with rocaille motifs, military trophies, and the arms of France with three fleurs-de-lis. This iconography combines royal symbolism and martial vocabulary, indicating a sword intended for an officer or gentleman in the service of the King. Original scarlet cloth sword knot. The scabbard, covered in shagreen, is fitted with three finely chased solid silver mounts bearing several hallmarks. It notably features a figurative hallmark with a stylized head, characteristic of French hallmarks of the Ancien Régime, as well as other workshop and inspection hallmarks. It is preserved with its steel suspension lock with a regularly textured edge and its two chains, an accessory that has become particularly rare today. The whole constitutes a remarkably homogeneous, complete, and authentic example, representative of the elegant weapons carried by officers and gentlemen during the reign of Louis XV. Dimensions: Overall length: 107 cm Blade length: 88.7 cm A very fine collector's piece combining refined workmanship, historical authenticity, and remarkable completeness—essential criteria for 18th-century French court swords.