Original Napoleonic era French Briquet Sabre possibly used by the Imperial Guard

Here on offer is an original French Napoleonic era Briquet Sabre that was possibly used by the Imperial Guard.

It has a single-edged 23.5” curved unfullered steel blade, that is in great condition with some age greying to the finish and small knicks to the cutting edge.

Near the grip it has been stamped with “B” with a star above it, French poinçon, or inspection mark, (see: French state inspection marks). It seems to relate to “BORSON”, a mark used around 1814.

Interestingly, there is also a stylish “N” stamped on the blade that I believe is the personal monogram of Napoleon I, as I have seen used on some of his ornate jewellery items. I can’t find any other information about this stamp and can only speculate that this may have been a mark that was used by Napoleon’s Imperial Guard?

So, who knows it may have been used by the Imperial Guard during the Napoleonic Wars and may even have been at Waterloo?

There is also a long-texted engraving, possibly the maker’s details, along the blade’s spin, but it is too faint to make it out.

The blades original leather scabbard washer is still in place and this fits tightly to the one-piece, cast brass grip with its 28 rings and a single knuckle-bow bar guard.

One edge is stamped the “B” and star French poinçon and another stamp I just can’t make out? On the other side it is stamped with the number 7 and a number I also can’t make out that maybe 70, that seems to have been struck through with3 lines?

They were well known in Napoleons army as the ANIX, ANXI, and ANXIII for model years from 1800+

It would have originally had a leather covered scabbard with brass fittings, but sadly this is now missing.

The Briquet Saber was a melee weapon used during the Napoleonic Wars of the late 1700’s and early 1800’s, including the battle of Waterloo in 1815.

It is a short, slightly curved sword with a brass handle that was carried by most infantry units, by the artillery and the grenadiers, as well as the NCO’s, corporals and later even Napoleon’s Imperial Guard.

The Briquet was first introduced in 1767, before the French Revolution, for the French grenadiers whose old swords had been too heavy and cumbersome.

The new short-bladed sabre was instantly mocked for its short stature, and was named “Briquet”, a fire lighter, for its resemblance to the lighters used by the soldiers in the field. The name stuck, and became official in 1806.

The Briquet was used as a practical and utilitarian tool, for example in clearing vegetation, but it was also an effective weapon in close combat.

The blade measures 23.5” (59.6cm) long and the whole Briquet is 29” (73.6
cm) long.

It weighs 1.1Kg.

Please see my pictures for the details of the condition, which complement this description.

Please see my TERMS OF BUSINESS regarding Deliver Charges and Insurance regarding additional insurance cover, should you require it, BEFORE the item is dispatched.

The responsibility lies with the customer to check with your Customs restrictions that this item can be imported into your country.

Code: 51476