Rare Royal Guard Lancer Officer's Sabre

Handle covered with sheepskin, iron mount, three-branch guard, two shuttle-shaped lugs and quillon curved downwards. Curved blade signed on the heel by Duc and the royal manufacture of Klinglenthal Coulaux frères, engraved halfway with the great arms of France, two cartouches marked "REGIt DE LANCERS" "GARDE ROYALE", fleurs-de-lys, the cypher of King Louis XVIII, with hollow sides, fuller and carp tongue. Sheet iron scabbard, with two bracelets and two rings. Manufactured by Duc. Restoration period (1815-1824) See: The Empire at Fontainebleau, historical souvenirs sale 23/3 lot 309

The Lancers of the Royal Guard, created in 1814 (before becoming fully active after Napoleon's defeat), the Lancers of the Royal Guard were a light cavalry unit, similar to Napoleon's Lancers of the Imperial Guard, but under the aegis of the Restoration. They were modeled after the old elite cavalry units and were considered one of the most prestigious regiments in the royal army.

In 1816, after the events of the First Restoration (1814–15) and the Second Restoration (following Napoleon's return during the Hundred Days), Louis XVIII reestablished the Royal Guard, with regiments such as the Lancers of the Royal Guard serving not only as the king's personal guard but also as a prestige unit in the army.

The Lancers of the Royal Guard were armed with long lances and equipped with sabres.