1783 Marechaussée (constabulary) Saber, Royal Manufacture Of Klingenthal

This sabre is the 1783 regulatory model for the constabulary, troop version. Its particularity is to have been manufactured by the Manufacture Royale de Klingenthal, which stopped supplying the constabulary from 1790. It is therefore an early model, as confirmed by the marking on the back of the blade. And it is therefore not a manufacture of the revolutionary period.
Very few of these sabres of the first models have kept their original scabbard, they have most often been provided with replacement scabbards. This is also the case for this weapon, which is equipped with a posterior scabbard, slightly longer than the blade.
BLADE: this is the blade identical to that of the 1767 model. After a very short ricasso, it continues in a straight line to the point, which is an extension of the back. On the flat back, we can read, with some difficulty, because it is partly erased: "Mfture Rale du Klingenthal Juin 1787" for "Manufacture Royale du Klingenthal, Juin 1787". Ii is very difficult for me to photography this partly erased inscription, which is better seen in reality than on the photo...
Near the ricasso we find the classic control and inspection punches: The B of François Joseph BISCH, 1st class controller from July 1783, easily recognizable. Next to it, partly erased by wear, a punch which is probably (?) the crowned K of Lefevre de Givry, inspector from 1784 to 1787.
Blade length 85 cm, width at the ricasso = 3 cm, thickness at the ricasso 9.5 mm.
MOUNTING: it is a palmette shell guard, with a knuckle bow which is inserted under the cap, and two secondary branches which go from the palmette to the knuckle bow. A small quillon in a flattened drop finishes the guard.
The cap has a short tail, it is topped with a sort of almond-shaped "water drop" on which the tang of the blade is riveted.
This type of mounting was supposed to make it possible to disassemble the blade without damaging the cap (in particular to repair the wire binding). The grip is made of wood covered with large twisted wire binding, in very good condition, without any loss or breakage.
SCABBARD: it is as reported before, longer than the blade, and like the majority of scabbards found on these weapons, it has 3 brass fittings, which on this example are mounted on a wooden base covered with sewn leather. The mouth piece and the intermediate piece wear suspension rings, and the rchape ends with an iron button, as on certain scabbards of officer's sabers with battle guards.
This saber is a must-have in French armament, it was long worn by the Maréchaussée, especially during the Restoration.
hipping costs France 20€, Europe 30€
Ref G3Y-2460