Original Item: Only One Available. This is an excellent example of a late 19th Century French Model 1822 Light Cavalry Saber, made at the French arsenal in Châtellerault. This is the sword that the U.S. based their Model 1840 Cavalry saber on, which was later updated in 1860 to use a lighter blade. The model 1822 itself was a replacement for the short lived model 1816, which used a “piped back” blade, which was not well received at all. It features a 36″ curved blade with both a wide and narrow fuller, and has an overall length of 42 1/2″.
This Model 1822 Light Cavalry Saber is marked on the spine of the blade:
M”re d’Armes de Chât”t Août 1879 = Cav”rie S”re M”le 1822
This is an abbreviated form of Manufacture d’armes de Châtellerault, the French arsenal at the city Châtellerault. The inscription indicates manufacture in August of 1879, and also indicates that this is a Cavalerie Sabre Modèle 1822 (Cavalry Saber Model 1822).
The sword and scabbard are both marked with serial number 1635, along with various other French proof marks. Condition is excellent, and the sword shows little sign of ever being used. By 1879 use of swords by cavalry was already well on the way out. The scabbard does not show any dents, and still retains its single hanger ring. The bright steel has faded to a lovely oxidized patina.
A great example of this sword, ready to add to your collection!