Saber of the Marines of the Imperial Guard, model... Lot 28

Saber of the Marines of the Imperial Guard, model 1804. 1st EMPIRE. Mounted in cast brass, guard with one hollowed-out limb, detached from the pommel, marked with the maker "DUC" on the top of the quillon finished in a ball. Large crest auricles decorated on the right side with the navy anchor, cap with short tail. Wooden fuse covered with leather filigree of a copper wire. Strong blade with large curvature, rush back with hollow sides and cutting edge, ended by a strong bevel, blade blunt and oxidized. The hollow sides are engraved on each side "IMPERIAL GUARD" in large cursive letters in a cartouche with rope, anchor and palmettes. Lanyard in red woolen thread, later. Wooden scabbard sheathed in black waxed leather with three massive brass fittings, missing clasp at the bolt, brass stinger to the model. Navy anchor stamped on the scabbard, under the bolt. Blade about 69.5 cm long, 4 cm wide, 7.2 cm arrow, total length 84.5 cm without scabbard, length with scabbard 87.5 cm. ABE. Set conforms to the model. This sword was the subject of an article in the Gazette des Armes in 2001 (N°320)