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The piece was imported for a General Officer around 1804 as the etched blade reveals on a closer look, even if it is quite worn due to the repeaded polish applied to it.
The design called 'Sabre de Officier de Cavalerie Legere Monture “a la Marengo”'is a elegant sword with a true classic design of the Napoleonic wars that saw service across the Atlantic.
The original hilt design with distinctive opposing recurved knuckle bow “a la Marengo” was first used by the famed gun and sword Nicholas Boutet for silver hilted presentation sword for officers c1802 that commemorated heroism or achievement in the Battle of Mareno.
The style was copied by other makers into the early Empire and is known on some French export swords (usually with eagle pommel of the period as a LePage import).
This style is well known and sought after among collectors of early American swords. An similar sword was worn by American general Frederick Frelinghuysen (1753-1804) and was shown at an exhibition in 1976. There are very few surviving similar examples in museums and private collections, they are not common at all.
~ Condition ~
The piece is in very good shape for its age.
The etchings on the blade are quite worn, but some are still visible.
The scabbard made of wood and snake skin has aged and is missing small sections of its cover, as seen in the pictures. It remains solid though.
The grip is slightly wobbly but is only a loose screw.
The blade is free of nicks.
MLBE00
