3497

A LOUIS XVI HIGH GRADE FRENCH SMALLSWORD.

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:600.00 USD Estimated At:1,200.00 - 1,800.00 USD
A LOUIS XVI HIGH GRADE FRENCH SMALLSWORD.
This fine quality 18th century French smallsword dates from the reign of Louis XVI who took the French throne in 1774. Overall length: 35 1/4". Blade length: 28 3/4". The trilobate blade has gold highlighted etching on a blued field over the first 9" of the blade. Etching includes military & foliate motifs. There is a small ribbon near the hilt that reads "S A F". The artistically rendered iron hilt is highlighted with gold leaf & gold inlays throughout. The bottom of the double kidney guard has superb scrollwork with foliate motifs along with a stand of arms on each side of the blade. The top of the guard has similar decoration with a smaller stand of arms on each side. Tall pas d'ane with a downturned pendulous quillon. The knuckle bow again repeats the decoration as seen on the guard, and the nearly spherical pommel also mirrors the style of decoration. The superbly embellished grip features scrollwork & arms in a spiral format. No scabbard. CONDITION: the blade shows very light wear with over 90% of the gold highlights & blued field intact. The hilt is quite tight and extremely visually attractive with a rich patina on the iron that contrasts stunningly with the bright gold. (02-19596/BF). $1,200-1,800.