French & Indian War Sword/Dagger?

murph21 · 29th November 2025, 10:52 PM

New member here. Hoping to get some feedback from you experts on this short hunting sword or cuttoe re: possible age and origin. Purchased in US. Thinking probably 1700s? Has a worn engraving of what looks like a prancing cartoon-like lion (I think? Could be a hunting dog?) along with the phrase in French "Rien ne m'arette" which means "Nothing can stop me" in English. Same image and phrase on both sides of blade. Stag or antler handle. 23 1/2" total length, blade is 18 1/2". Bronze cap and hilt. No makers marks. Should I assume this to be French or French-American made?Any feedback greatly appreciated!

Jim McDougall · Yesterday, 09:54 PM

Hi Murph,
Sorry nobody has answered, this is pretty much as you already figured a cuttoe of 18th century, pretty hard to define more specifically but probably mid to later. The blade is most certainly French, especially in the motif which corresponds to engravers and cutlers in Nantes, which often included celestial symbols and arcane and oriental figures.

These 'hunting' swords were often carried as hangers and favored on vessels in many cases, so again hard to define what context it may have been used in.
"Swords and Blades in the American Revolution" (George Neumann, 1972) is one of the best references for the swords of this period.

American weapons were of course essentially British, and French weapons were well known in America during the Revolution (as shown in Neumann).
These are always interesting swords, and the blade on yours is very much so.

Best regards,
Jim

29th November 2025, 10:52 PM	#1
murph21 Member Join Date: Nov 2025 Posts: 1	French & Indian War Sword/Dagger? New member here. Hoping to get some feedback from you experts on this short hunting sword or cuttoe re: possible age and origin. Purchased in US. Thinking probably 1700s? Has a worn engraving of what looks like a prancing cartoon-like lion (I think? Could be a hunting dog?) along with the phrase in French "Rien ne m'arette" which means "Nothing can stop me" in English. Same image and phrase on both sides of blade. Stag or antler handle. 23 1/2" total length, blade is 18 1/2". Bronze cap and hilt. No makers marks. Should I assume this to be French or French-American made?Any feedback greatly appreciated! Attached Images

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Yesterday, 09:54 PM	#2
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,692	Hi Murph, Sorry nobody has answered, this is pretty much as you already figured a cuttoe of 18th century, pretty hard to define more specifically but probably mid to later. The blade is most certainly French, especially in the motif which corresponds to engravers and cutlers in Nantes, which often included celestial symbols and arcane and oriental figures. These 'hunting' swords were often carried as hangers and favored on vessels in many cases, so again hard to define what context it may have been used in. "Swords and Blades in the American Revolution" (George Neumann, 1972) is one of the best references for the swords of this period. American weapons were of course essentially British, and French weapons were well known in America during the Revolution (as shown in Neumann). These are always interesting swords, and the blade on yours is very much so. Best regards, Jim