RARE FRENCH ARMY 1882 PATTERN INFANTRY OFFICERS SWORD & SCABBARD

Offered is a exceptionally good condition 1882 Pattern French Army Officer’s sword (épée d’Officier d’infanterie Mle 1882), as worn by an Infantry of the Line Officer. The sword features a vertically ribbed, wire wrapped composite grip, with fitted 3 branch plain guard & plain back strapped pommel. Attached to the top of the guard is a long wound chord portepee knot. The thin straight thrusting double edged blade measures 86 cm long and features the classic ‘blood groove’ running along both sides of the blade, being the nickel variety which has stood the test of time, showing very little wear and is one of the best blades I’ve seen from swords of this period. The hilt is correctly engraved & stamped, showing manufacturer & date: Manufacture nationale d’armees de Châtellerault, Avril 1909. Offer d’ Infrie Mle 1882 (April 1909 made by National Armoury – Châtellerault) The metal service scabbard is in excellent condition. The nickel finish is superb, matching the excellent preserved state of the sword. Scabbard retains the single floating suspension ring and small style drag. Overall length: 102 cm. An exceptionally near mint condition sword. Very, very hard to beat.