FRANCE, 19th century - Lot 164

FRANCE, 19th century Saber (composite) inspired by the luxury arms of a senior light cavalry or staff officer. Gilt-bronze "à la Marengo" hilt, with "S" cruiser, two chimera-head quillons and large rectangular knot decorated with military trophies, four half-ornaments decorated with palmettes. Lion's head pommel, with short cut-out skullcap chased with a shell, scrolls on a tortoiseshell background and a spider's web. Brown horn spindle with brass and braided copper filigree. Slightly curved, single-edged, flat-back blade with counter-edged tip, partially decorated with gilded foliage, flowers and trophies on a blued background. Heel monogrammed "K. & S." for KIRCHBAUM and SCHNITZER. With a model 1822 Tambour-Major scabbard, brass, engraved on one side with a trophy with drum, horns and shako in a cartouche, foliage scrolls and palmettes, with two attachment horns, and brass sting chased with flowers and fleuron (too long). Blade length: 80.2 cm - Scabbard length: 86.4 cm - Total length: cm. Wear, scratches and knocks from use; cracks, eats and small chips to the spindle, watermark probably modified, cap to be reattached, traces of glue, small chips to the auricles; some oxidation to the blade; one scabbard horn broken and deep scratches. Recomposed weapon, notably with a cap whose open lion's mouth would have held a guard limb, and a fuse that appears to have been re-cut for the upper half-elements. But this composite saber, now a fantasy saber, makes an impression!