BELGIAN SILVERED HILTED OFFICER’S SWORD, LAST QUARTER OF THE 19TH CENTURY

Substantial fighting example with silvered hilt of the pattern used on the US1860 Staff & Field Officer’s sword. Right shell guard with lion and shield bearing the monogram of King Leopold II. Reverse with folding guard in good order. Foliate pommel and knuckle bow. All with heavy silver surface intact but for slight wear to the underside of the right guard from the sword belt frog edge. Silver wire wrapped horn grip. 34 ¾” double edged blade with inscription panel: Manufacture d’equidements Militairies Auguste Fonson19 rue des fabriques Bruxelles. Blade crisp with very light gray discoloration only. Iron scabbard with freckled plating and smooth brown patina, undented. The Fonson family was the most prolific of Belgian sword makers. Auguste Fonson headed the company 1873-1902 during which time this sword was made. A heavy fighting sword.