GOOD FRENCH HANGER C.1780

25” broad, slightly curved widely fullered blade with clipped point and long false edge, undecorated as made. Reeded ebony grip with engraved iron tang band and three diced oval studs each side defining finger stalls. Fine iron base ferrule with lattice pierced oval aligned with the grip studs. Iron guard with central lattice panel flanked by scrolled foliate design on diced ground. Evidence of use as expected with some isolated oxidation marks. A civilian weapon from the turbulent period leading up to the French Revolution. Its quality suggests an owner of the elite class, tens of thousands of whom were executed.