Introduced about 1795, this pattern was carried by French infantry officers in the First Empire. This one uses a straight, spadroon form blade with brass hilt comprising a notched, boat or heart-shaped guard decorated with double-channel S-curved border lines, plumed helmet pommel, knucklebow and straight, swelling quillons. The wood grip is bound with twisted large and small copper wire with turkshead knots at top and bottom.

Once gilt, the hilt has an untouched, aged brass patina. The large and small twisted copper wire grip binding is intact. It has been pushed aside in a couple of places, exposing the wood, but could be rearranged to better effect. The leather blade pad is in place under the guard. The blade shows strong remnants of gilt in the four floral and martial motifs deeply etched in the fuller on either side and in the ricasso decoration, which shows a lattice work gate on one side and on the other the Solingen S & K maker’s mark of Schnitzler and Kirschbaum, first registered December 1808. There are faint traces of the blue on the upper third of the blade, which now shows as darker gray against the silver gray of the blade, which has smooth metal, good edge and point.

The leather scabbard is present and full length, showing some bends and repairs, but is hard to find in any condition. Both brass mounts are in place and match the patina of the hilt. The upper mount has the fastening button in place. The drag shows some remnants of gilt finish and nice floral and geometric detailing with a button finial.  [sr] [ph:L]

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