National Guard or National Volunteers officer's sword
France
Before 1792
Brass, leather, brass, steel
Long. total: 90; Long. barrel: 75 cm

Gilt brass mount known as the climbing lion mount.
Lion-headed cap with a long tail.
Handle covered with eight-turn sheepskin, filigreed with twisted brass wire.
Rounded joint arc, with fluted edges along its entire length.
A tray with openings in the sun.
Shell depicting a lion with its head turned backwards and brandishing in its two front paws the club of Hercules, surmounted by a Phrygian cap; its left rear part resting on a cannon under which two cannonballs are positioned; its right rear paw crushing the head of a winged fire-spitting dragon, whose tail is curled and ends in a dart in the shape of an arrowhead.
Montmorency style blade, with one cutting edge and one false edge.

Ref.: 7152

Text and photos © FCP CORIDON