Antique French Officer’s Sword Epee 1872 Pattern
Antique French military sword "Eppe" 1872 Pattern for the officers of the Third Republic.
Solid brass regulation hilt with D" shaped knucklebow, double clamshell hand guard, and thickened edge adorned at the front with wreath formed of oak and laurel leaves with a ribbon. Folding back guard, folded, and released by pressing a sprung steel ball.
The grip is made of wood and bound with twisted copper wire. It has brass ferrules and a bulbous pommel with a turned finial.
Sturdy double edged tapering steel blade of diamond shape cross-section cut on each face with two narrow fullers and engraved on the respective face: "Manufacture d'Armes de Châtellerault 1910 Epée sans ciselures".
The ricasso is struck on one side with three inspection marks (poinçons): "T," F," and" C" within a circle. The inner side of the guard is stamped with two number 9. Complete with its original steel scabbard with one suspension ring.REFERENCES: "Sabres et Epees" by Michel Petard. TOME 3. Page 256-258.
Officers' swords pattern 1872 were manufactured and used by the French army officers until World War I.
The buyer will be provided with a copy of the pages from the mentioned references, together with a certificate of authenticity.MEASUREMENTS:
Overall length in the scabbard: 107 cm (42.13 inches).
Overall length without the scabbard: 101 cm (39.76 inches).
CONDITION: It shows its age and uses; the blade has minor rust spots, the scabbard is slightly dented, with some abrasions, and the grip copper wire wrapping is loose. But overall, it is in good condition considering its age of over 113 years old.
Please see all 12 pictures in the listing, as they are part of the object's condition description.