Court Sword With Fine Handle, Entirely Original 18th Century

This sword is a French court sword, known as a "épée à la mousquetaire", dating from the 2nd half of the 18th century, at the end of the reign of Louis XV or the beginning of the reign of Louis XVI. It is depicted in Jean Lhoste's book "Les épées portées en France des origines à nos jours" under number 314. This was the type of sword worn by the military when in civilian dress or at Court.
BLADE: After a very short 4 mm ricasso covered with the original leather washer, it takes on a triangular cross-section with 3 hollow sides. The blade shows oxidation spots that could be greatly improved by polishing  if desired.Blade length = 77.2 cm, width at ricasso = 1.8 cm,ricasso thickness 7.5 mm. Balance is excellent, the balance point is 7 cm from the hilt.
MONTURE: the guard shell is oval,  iron, domed, with a scalloped inner edge. The cross guard is "donkey-stepped" (fingers rings), with the rings s joining the shell which are no longer large enough to be functional,w hich corresponds to the style of second half of the 18th century. The knuckle bow is made of ironfeatures a bulge in the middle decorated with a diamond-shaped facet, in line with the decoration on the pommel.
POMMEL : This is a so-called faceted" or "diamond-shaped". Ovoid, made of iron, it is topped by a small kno to which the blade tang is riveted.
FUSEE: Coil-shaped, covered with a complex copper wire binding. The braided copper ferrules, known as "Turk's heads", are present, in perfect condition and original.

In conclusion, this is a court sword, never restored, The hilt is of fine quality and in perfect condition. Offered at a very reasonable price.
Ref AX-2636
Contribution to shippingFrance 20€, Europe 30€.