This is a fantastic example of the iconic French Light Cavalry sabre Model 1822, made by the Chatellerault armoury.
The 916mm single-edged Montmorency blade has a broad, flat spine with a wide, shallow fuller running for 725mm of its length. The fuller is squared at the ricasso, dating the blade to pre-1860. A shorter, narrow fuller runs immediately below the spine. The blade has a pronounced curvature of around 36mm and terminates in a hatchet point. The blade is in near mint condition and is firm in the hilt.
The ricasso is stamped with inspection poincon belonging to the Chatellerault Director and Controller. The spine is engraved with the armoury details and date of manufacture. The date has been all but polished out but it is possible to date the sabre to between 1840 and 1851.
In 1840, leather washers were added to the base of blades, and the ricasso bears the stamp of J. Bisch, the Chatellerault Controller until 1851. Post 1855, the model designation Mdle 1822 was also engraved on blade spines.
The brass three-bar guard is in excellent condition. The knuckle bow is stamped with the poincon of the Director and Controller along with the number 15, which is probably a batch number. The underside of the beaked quillon bears the Chatellerault Reviser’s stamp. The grip leather and twisted brass wire are in great condition.
The sword is complete with its steel scabbard with double suspension rings and asymmetrical drag. The scabbard is in excellent condition. The throat of the scabbard and first suspension ring band bear the poincon of J Bisch. The drag bears a numeric stamp. The sword draws and sheathes smoothly and is held firmly within the scabbard.
This is one of the finest Model 1822 Light Cavalry sabres that I have come across. It is a truly impressive example of the iconic French sabre.
