French colichemarde

[urbanspaceman]

Hello again. I was thinking the same thing. I bought it purely on the basis of "like the look of that" and it was some time later that I saw a sword that looked remarkably similar and was titled 1767 etc. I didn't do any thorough research because it fell outside of my Shotley Bridge quest at the time. It was only when you posted your example that I began to give it my attention.
I've never really considered it a smallsword but it is, isn't it? Albeit, a battlefield weapon rather than a civilian one. The blade is superb, just stiff enough for penetration AND razor sharp. It has a most curious cartouche with an even more puzzling motto that, so far, has defied translation. It is identical on both sides.

If it is not a pattern 1767 then I can't imagine what it is… maybe it is just a sword, custom made to suit. Regardless, I am very fond of it.
OK, enough of that, now the colichemarde: it is certainly a typical colichemarde blade but then again there are different versions of the groove. Here are four, from my friend Mel again (he has specialised in collecting smallswords ) and in one case you will see the roller traveled right up to the ricasso.