FRANCE, Second Empire Civil servant's sword. Gilt and chased brass hilt, with one branch decorated with foliage, interlacing and two quillon crosses, pommel with cabochons, openwork and poly-lobed keyboard decorated with the Imperial Eagle on mantle and under crown, on a background of foliage. Spindle made of grooved white mother-of-pearl plates. Triangular blade engraved and gilded with flowers and a trophy on a blued background, finished in flame in the first third, signed "S.H." on the heel. Blade length: 76.6 cm - Total length: 91 cm. Without scabbard. Wear, scratches and a few knocks; some oxidation.