Original Item. Only One Available. These Swords very seldom show up. It was made at in the early years of the French Revolution and the gilded hand guard display “LADY LIBERTY” holding back a Lion and an embossed inscription which reads:-
L’UNION FAIT LA FORCE
( Unity makes power)
This period of French history was known as “the Terror” as so many people were condemned to be beheaded by the Guillotine often for virtually no reason. Even servants of the Aristocrats were disposed of despite the miserable existence they had led in service. By 1794, with the death of the blood thirsty French Lawyer/Politician MAXIMILLIEN ROBESPIERRE control had been re-established in a France soon to be under the total dictatorship NAPOLEON BONAPARTE as Emperor.
This Revolutionary sword is 35.5″ long, and has a 29″ slightly curved quite substantial blade. This is held by a brass wire bound grip with a Lion headed pommel, which still has much of its original heavy gilding. There is some loss the the gilding on the guard but NOT on the crucial area of Lady Liberty with the Lion and the legend shown above.
In very good condition, this sword is amazingly well preserved as for the 20 years it saw service until the end of the Revolutionary Wars and Napoleon Bonaparte in 1815.
Very rare, in lovely condition and ready to display.