Scarce French Model 1833 naval boarding cutlass, known in French as “Le Sabre d' Abordage.”
The 680mm falchion blade has a thick, flat spine and broad single fuller on both sides. The spine is engraved with the details of the Chatellerault armoury and the date of manufacture, March, 1842. The single-edged blade is double-edged for the last 130mm and terminates in a hatchet point. The blade has been service sharpened
The forte of the blade bears a large anchor on both sides and the ricasso is stamped with two inspection poincon. The obverse ricasso bears the number 14. The blade is in good condition for its 178 years of age and use, with only mild tarnish and a few minor patches of shallow pitting along the edge and at the point.
The steel bowl guard is in good condition with minor pitting and wear to the Japanned finish consistent with use and life at sea. The front of the beaked quillon is stamped with a poincon and the numeral 2. The rear of the beak has three inspection stamps. The blade is firm in the hilt.
The cutlass is complete with its rarely encountered scabbard. Some time ago the scabbard was re-covered with waterproofed cotton cloth.
This is an excellent example of an increasingly hard to find French boarding cutlass complete with scabbard and with plenty of inspection and government ownership stamps, clearly visible anchors and easily readable spine engraving.
