FRENCH 1872 PATTERN OFFICER’S SWORD

Gilt brass hilt with thickened edge shell guard with raised wreath motif. Folding back guard, tight and functional. Silver wire-wrapped grip. 30” triangular section blade with A O maker’s name at the forte, in original red blade seat, slightly tuned to the left, indicating the owner was an accomplished swordsman. Blade with considerable original preservative and smooth staining only (spider rust under the preservative). Hilt with considerable original gold intact. It displays unusual construction with the knuckle bow made separately and keyed into the cross guard, unnoticeable when the gold surface is intact. We have another, by a different maker, both made that way indicating that the construction was specified by the government.