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 · 1st December 2025, 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

murph21 · 1st December 2025, 11:57 PM

Thank you Jim I appreciate that information!

Jim McDougall · Yesterday, 07:10 PM

You bet Murph! glad to have you here!!
I finally excavated my 'Neumann' (its hell in an RV trying to find stuff!) and it seems these blades with this blockish fuller starting at the blade root were a popular style made in Germany (Solingen of course) from c. 1760-80.

While German made these still made it into French hangers of this period, and as noted, the convention of decoration, including lattice etc. was popularly used in Nantes by the cutlers there. With the French style hangers (cuttoes) the hilts were often, if not even typically, silvered and the grips were seldom stag horn but typically ivory, ebony.
Naturally there were exceptions, but then the hilt guard had the short quillons, often alternating and blockish center. This is quite simple in hilt, and the blade on yours a bit shorter than the more typical 20-22".

It would seem this is a hanger blade of this period remounted in a British hilt (may well have been colonial) quite possibly in the Revolution period with the staghorn grip. With the more personalized motif on the blade inclined toward Nantes work this seems to be a French sword repurposed in accord perhaps in the colonies.

Do you collect in these areas? Very interesting field and hoping to see more! Very glad you're here!

Best regards
Jim

29th November 2025, 10:52 PM	#1
murph21 Member Join Date: Nov 2025 Posts: 2	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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1st December 2025, 09:54 PM	#2
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,693	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

1st December 2025, 11:57 PM	#3
murph21 Member Join Date: Nov 2025 Posts: 2	Thank you Jim I appreciate that information!

Yesterday, 07:10 PM	#4
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,693	You bet Murph! glad to have you here!! I finally excavated my 'Neumann' (its hell in an RV trying to find stuff!) and it seems these blades with this blockish fuller starting at the blade root were a popular style made in Germany (Solingen of course) from c. 1760-80. While German made these still made it into French hangers of this period, and as noted, the convention of decoration, including lattice etc. was popularly used in Nantes by the cutlers there. With the French style hangers (cuttoes) the hilts were often, if not even typically, silvered and the grips were seldom stag horn but typically ivory, ebony. Naturally there were exceptions, but then the hilt guard had the short quillons, often alternating and blockish center. This is quite simple in hilt, and the blade on yours a bit shorter than the more typical 20-22". It would seem this is a hanger blade of this period remounted in a British hilt (may well have been colonial) quite possibly in the Revolution period with the staghorn grip. With the more personalized motif on the blade inclined toward Nantes work this seems to be a French sword repurposed in accord perhaps in the colonies. Do you collect in these areas? Very interesting field and hoping to see more! Very glad you're here! Best regards Jim