180 - France, Revolution–Directoire (1789–1799).

France, Revolution–Directoire (1789–1799). Infantry Grenadier saber, known as the “Briquet,” Model 1767, Revolutionary-era manufacture, Klingenthal, circa 1798–99. The mount is made of cast copper-plated brass with nineteen flutes; at its base is a half-figured upper lug, a simple pommel with a long tail, and a prominent rivet button. The guard’s crossguard is widened at the top and joins the crossbar at a right angle. It is hallmarked “LW” surrounded by dots within an oval for Benjamin LEVAVASSEUR, inspector at the Klingenthal factory from 1798 to 1802, and “M” surmounted by a small flower for Jean-Jacques MOUTON, inspector and later first-class controller at the Klingenthal factory; the model’s hallmark was used for the period 1793–1800. Straight quillon ending in a button. Blade with a slight mottled gray patina, slightly curved, flat, and with a flat back, marked on the back “Manufacture de Klingenthal” and stamped at the heel with the same two hallmarks as those on the guard: “LW” surrounded by dots in an oval (Benjamin LEVAVASSEUR) and “M” surmounted by a small flower (Jean-Jacques MOUTON). Good black leather scabbard with a central back seam and two brass fittings. 73 cm (blade 59 cm). (Signs of wear and normal use; the leather of the scabbard has shrunk; the blade does not fit completely inside and protrudes by approximately 5 mm; in fairly good condition).