An original European M1817 Infantry Briquet Short Sword, representative of the sidearms carried by infantrymen, grenadiers, and pioneer troops during and after the Napoleonic Wars. This heavy-duty, single-handed short sword is inspired by the design of the French sabre briquet, and was adopted in various forms by multiple continental European armies into the mid-19th century.
This example features a curved, single-edged blade approximately 66cm in length, forged from steel with a broad fuller running along the spine. The hilt is constructed from solid cast brass, with rising grip ridges and a distinctive D-shaped knuckle guard, cast integrally with the grip. No ricasso markings are visible, though this style was widely issued to the French, Dutch, Imperial Russian armies, as well as numerous other European nations.
Condition: Poor. The blade is pitted throughout with several chips on the edge of the blade. The pommel has been partially sawn through. Outside of a single “B” inspector’s mark on the knuckle bow, no markings remain.
Length (overall): Approx. 80cm
