This French AN XI (year 11 of the revolutionary calendar) sabre briquet is dated 1837 and was made by Thiebaut, also known as Talibot.
The 598mm un-fullered blade is single-edged with a flat spine and terminates in a hatchet point. The spine is engraved with the maker’s name, “Thiebaut.” The blade was service sharpened and is in good condition with patches of tarnish and very shallow pitting. The ricasso is stamped with a French inspection stamp (poincon).
The cast brass hilt has a single D-shaped knuckle bow continuing into a forward pointing ball quillon. The rear of the quillon is stamped V1837. The knuckle bow bears an inspection stamp. The grip has 28 ribs. The cross-piece of the hilt is stamped with the V355 and the scabbard throat bears a corresponding number.
The black leather covered wooden scabbard has brass mounts. The locket is stamped V355. The leather of the scabbard is strong and in good condition with its stitching intact and sound. There has been a repair to the lower section of the scabbard. The sword sheathes and draws smoothly and is held firmly within the scabbard.
This is a good clean example of a French AN XI infantry sabre briquette from the first half of the 19th Century.
