In good condition, a rare Mid-19C French An XIII Cuirassier Heavy Cavalry Trooper’s Sword, made by Châtellerault.
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Although made 20+ years after Waterloo, this An XIII Cuirassier sword is rarer than the original Napoleonic original. Superceded several times by other French heavy cavalry swords, the An XIII was still produced in limited numbers, this one after the Klingenthal factory closed in 1836. The poinçons, especially the B in circle hilt poinçon for Inspector Bisch, shows this sword was made by the state arms maker Châtellerault between 1840 and 1844. The spine inscription is feint, typical of Châtellerault, but is still there. And this is no specimen sword, as it has a weapon / rack number to the hilt, so it was issued to a French Cuirassier Trooper and most likely saw active service as the original hatchet point has been spear pointed for battle use / readiness.
The 37 13/16 inch blade is in good condition and firm in the hilt. The brass hilt in good shape. The original leather of the grip has some shrinkage gaps and general wear, plus has lost its twisted grip wire bindings. The chemically browned heavy steel scabbard is good but has some age (loss of browning). The sword sheathes and draws a bit loosely (the interior of the scabbard is a different design to the metal ridges employed by the original An XIII; it appears to have relied upon wooden slats for blade retention, and the slats are gone).
If you like An XIIIs, this is one you should not leave out of your collection due to its rarity. And a rare low price too: was £? (too late, now sold). Please quote item reference number U38. Further / full size images available upon request. Box 0852-1.2 (3.470).
