Officer's Sword For The Gendarmerie Of France

Extremely rare Officer's sword for the Gendarmerie of France, according to the regulations of February 18, 1772. Very few copies have survived, Christian Aries speaking in his notebooks of "a tiny number having survived".
This sword is in the French style, with a silver-plated brass mount, decorated in relief. A filigree-surbonded fuse, a silver-plated braided ribbon and ferrule. A ball-shaped pommel. A rounded guard branch joining the body knot, which supports two symmetrical quillons. The plate is edged above and below with branches in relief.
A narrow, flat blade with a back that retains traces of blueing and gilding in the bottoms. It is decorated with floral motifs and bears the arms of France stamped with the crown. On the heel on both sides it bears the details of the furnisher: "Giverne Mre Fourbisseur Rue Vieille Boucherie à l'Epée Royale à Paris". Giverne was the supplier of the Maison du Roy.
This weapon in good condition is extremely rare.