Ethnographic Arms & Armour - View Single Post

kronckew · 3rd February 2021, 07:28 PM

Looks like a std. early 19c French naval cutlass. The decor looks like the 1801 Napoleonic style, with that 5 lobed upper guard projection rather than the 1811 or 1833 versions.

Trafalgar didn't let many survive, at least in France. Nappy was fond of the Marines and naval units and used the survivors of Trafalgar as elite Artillery as part of his Guarde Imperiale, since he had no navy left to put them on.

I recall he took a few with him to St. Helena. Marine units maintained naval ranks and structure even after becoming part of the guard. Marine Officers used a rather distinctive very curved and clip-pointed sabre in lieu of the more delicate Naval Officers sword of the period. Lower ranks of the Crew would carry a cutlass, probably like yours.

Napoleonic style Marine Officer's sabre for illustration:

3rd February 2021, 07:28 PM	#2
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,150	Looks like a std. early 19c French naval cutlass. The decor looks like the 1801 Napoleonic style, with that 5 lobed upper guard projection rather than the 1811 or 1833 versions. Trafalgar didn't let many survive, at least in France. Nappy was fond of the Marines and naval units and used the survivors of Trafalgar as elite Artillery as part of his Guarde Imperiale, since he had no navy left to put them on. I recall he took a few with him to St. Helena. Marine units maintained naval ranks and structure even after becoming part of the guard. Marine Officers used a rather distinctive very curved and clip-pointed sabre in lieu of the more delicate Naval Officers sword of the period. Lower ranks of the Crew would carry a cutlass, probably like yours. Napoleonic style Marine Officer's sabre for illustration: Attached Images Last edited by kronckew; 3rd February 2021 at 08:00 PM.