The model An XI sword was so called because it was originally designed in the eleventh year of the Revolutionary Calendar (1804). The final version on the sword was approved on the 22nd September 1804. Production of the AN XI sword took place from October 1804 until 1816.
The 954mm straight, single edged blade has a flat spine and twin fullers that continue to the original hatchet point. Around 1815-1816, an executive order required that the hatchet points of these swords be re-ground to spear points. Existing examples with the original hatchet point are scarce. Swords retaining their hatchet point are almost certainly captured weapons and trophies of war. The blade was made at the Klingenthal factory in 1814 and bears the Klingenthal inspection stamps of François Louis Lobstein, Lt. Col. Etienne Borson, and Jean Georges Bick. The spine is clearly engraved with the Klingenthal armoury name and manufacture date.
The blade is in very good condition with minimal speckles of pale grey tarnish.
The barred Arco guard is stamped with numerical and lettered inspection marks, including the poincon of Etienne Borson (Klingenthal Director) which is found on the front of the beaked quillon. The leather wrapped grip is in very good condition and retains its original leather. Ten turns of twisted brass wire would have originally finished the grip.
The sword is complete with a third pattern scabbard. These scabbards were officially adopted in 1816 however, examples of these scabbards were recovered from the Waterloo battlefield, indicating that they were in use prior to their official adoption. The first ring band is stamped with the number 922. The scabbard is in very good condition, free from dents or damage and with only mild age related speckling and very shallow pitting towards the bottom.
This is a guaranteed genuine Napoleonic Wars Cuirassiers sword dating from 1814 and would have been used by a Cuirassier in Napoleon’s Grand Army.
