Pre-regulatory Stong Sword " Forte épée" Of The 1734 Model, Cavalry, Dragoons, France

This strong cavalry sword is a pre-regulatory model of the so-called 1734 model. In fact the blade is typically a blade of the older model of 1695, which equipped  cavalry and dragoons. These blades generally came from Solingen, although Saint Etienne also supplied them. The blades of the 1695 model, supplied by Solingen, initially had a small central face near the heel, which disappeared after a dozen centimeters.
From the first years of the 18th century, this type of profile was replaced as here by a central edge starting from the ricasso
. So we are in the presence of a blade from the very first years of the 18th century, and therefore from the last years of the reign of Louis XIV. The ordinance of May 28, 1733 provided for new models of cavalry swords that "the hilt be made so that the hand and thumb are covered" and the ordinance of January 16, 1734 only formalized the general adoption of this type of sword which was already in service in several troops.
See on this subject correspondence from Mr de Saint André to the Marquis d'Angervilliers at the beginning of 1730 (Artillery Archives 4F48)
 BLADE: after a very short ricasso of 3 mm, also called "heel", the blade immediately takes on a double-edged profile, with a strong central ridge. It gradually shrinks to 5cm from the tip where the shrinkage is more marked.
Length of the blade = 90 cm, Width at the heel 4.5 cm, thickness at the heel 7.8 mm
GUARD: It is a brass guard called "double shell". On the external face of the internal shell, we find engraved "N° 31" which is the number of the weapon. The engraving is quite clumsy and was not done in arsenal. A straight quillon ending in a ball comes out of the two pontats, on the side opposite the guard branch.
The guard branch (knuckle bow) joins the pommel, to which it attaches by a hook.
POMMEL: It is made of brass, in the shape of a rounded bulb, surmounted by a button on which the tang of the blade is riveted.
GRIP : It is covered with a strong filigree of twisted brass. The ferrule at the end of the handle has been missing for a very long time given the patina that the small wooden part visible at its location has taken on.

This strong cavalry sword is therefore an essential classic of the weaponry of the Ancien Régime (old french monarchy) . The fact that it is a model slightly prior to the regulatory model obviously brings additional historical interest.
I chosed to leave the blade in its patina which is the state of discovery. A light polish would improve the apparence of the blade and give it a more shiny look.
Ref F-2446 Free shipping for France, Europe €50