Light Cavalry Officer's Saber, Brass Scabbard, 1st Empire

This is a beautiful light cavalry officer's sabre (i.e. hussars or chasseurs) dating from the 1st Empire.
As is almost always the case, it was a personal order from an officer to a private supplier. The blade comes from Solingen, and the mount is called "German style". This sabre looks great and is in a remarkable state of preservation.
 BLADE: It is a Solingen manufacture, recognizable by the "grape" branch on the back of the blade at the heel. Under the ear, we can distinguish the manufacturer's mark. "N . K." This mark is known, and has been found several times on sabre blades from the beginning of the Empire, and on a sword from the Egyptian Institute. Unfortunately, the manufacturer who signed NK or N & K could not be formally identified. A German author suggests Nicholas KIRCHOFF who actually worked in Solingen at this time, but without certainty.
On each side there is a large hollow section, decorated on its first third with engravings in "blue and gold" (trophies, plant motifs). Counter-edge on the last 23 cm near the tip.
Blade length 81.4 cm, width near the guard 3.1 cm, thickness near the guard 8.8 mm.
GUARD:  brass, with large almond-shaped ears. The right-angled guard branch knuckle bow  joins the cap to which it is attached by a hook. Quillon in the shape of a flattened drop.
CAP: with a short tail, so-called "German" shape.
GRIP : in grooved ebony, in good condition. Small, barely visible crack on each side, and another small crck on th eback.
 SCABBARD: brass, faceted, which is less common than rounded shapes. Two suspension bracelets and brass dart. In conclusion: beautiful saber used by  a hussar or chasseur officer, dating from the 1st Empire, in very good condition.
Ref F-2468
Shipping costs France 40€, Europe 50€