This Roman inspired gladius-pattern short sword was a copy of the French "Modele 1816 d'artillerie". These "heavy artillery" swords were designed for foot artillery combat at the guns. Their specific purpose was to disembowel enemy cavalry horses if the gun position was overrun! They remained regulation in armies worldwide well after our Civil War. Russian and Prussian artillery continued to wear them into World War 1. French infantry started wearing this type in 1831. The French infantrymen called it "The Cabbage Chopper". Our classic example has the helmeted knight cartouche stamped in the ricasso of the blade this is the trademark of W. R. Kirschbaum & Co. which was founded by Wilhem Reinhordt Kirschbaum in 1854. The brass handle with cruciform guard, grips simulating feathers, ovoid pommel and taller than usual oval capstan were cast in a 2-piece mold. The double edged 19-inch-long blade is in very fine condition with surface grim and no pitting. It has 2 sets of fullers on top and one longer fuller running to within 2 inches of the point. It is impossible to establish a country of origin for this sword. Made before the turn of the 20th century it could be a relic of a plethora of armies worldwide. Of course, these were adopted by the US army in 1832, but this is not one of those "regulation" types. It even could be a Confederate sword using a German imported blade. A nice, intriguing weapon. [pe]  [ph:L]

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