December 10-13, 2024 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/10/2024
This smallsword form or pattern is that officially authorized in 1767 by the French King to be worn by all infantry officers in the French royal army and thus, known as the 1767 Epee d’Officier. They shared a standard hilt form of gilded brass, with a double-clamshell guard, D-shaped knuckle-bow, and fluted, ovoid pommel, with a straight, blade--although officers were granted some leeway in quality, decoration and form (triangular, diamond and wedge cross-profiles blades blades are all known). During his return visit to France in mid-1779 on leave from the Continental Army, Major General the Marquis de Lafayette purchased swords of this pattern, along with epaulettes and plumes. When he returned to America the following year, he presented such to all of the officers in the Continental Light Infantry Division, as noted by an artillery officer attached to Lafayette’s command, who wrote that the “Marquis has gave fresh instance of his munificence by presenting each Officer in his Division with a neat gold gilt small Sword.” Three swords known to have been presented to American officers in Lafayette’s Light Division survive in museum collections today. This fine example of a 1767 epee has its original gilt, twisted wire-wrapped grips finished with silver ferrules at each end cast in the form of a turk's head knots. It features a double-edged blade of flattened, diamond-profile blade, handsomely inscribed "VIVE LE ROY" on each face and etched with martial motifs, still housed in its original leather scabbard with gilded brass throat and chape or drag. Length: 34 1/8 in.; Blade: 27 1/2 x 1 in. W (at ricasso). CONDITION: Very good, some light wear to blade etching from cleaning over time.