329 - France, Third Republic (1870–1940).

France, Third Republic (1870–1940). Light Cavalry troop saber, Model 1822, modified in 1883, from the Châtellerault Arms Factory—April 1880, without scabbard. Cast brass mount with two secondary branches. The cap features a beaded rim topped by a domed rivet button and a short tail; the guard has a curved tip. The wooden tang is bound with string and covered with sheepskin embossed with a brass filigree pattern. The main guard branch is marked “103” and stamped “R” within a double circle for Jean-Paul REALLON, squadron commander and director of the Manufactory from 1876 to 1883, “B” within a double circle for Jean-Marie BRENIER, chief inspector (1870–1893), and “G” beneath a star for Joseph GIROLT (?), second-class inspector (1875–1883). Leather scabbard present. Straight white blade, with a hollow edge and flat back, marked “Manufacture d’Armes de Châtellerault April 1880 – Light Cavalry.” The heel is stamped “R” within a double circle for Jean-Paul REALLON, "B" within a double circle for Jean-Marie BRENIER, and "S" under a star within a triangle (?) for François Louis SPRENGER, inspector (1864–1885). 101.5 cm (Blade 87 cm). (Signs of wear and minor cosmetic imperfections, small dents on the hilt—uncommon in this version—in good condition). Note: Since the light cavalry desired a saber with a straight blade and given that the supply of Model 1882 sabers was slow and insufficient, in 1883, it was decided to modify the Model 1822 light cavalry sabers by straightening the blades and scabbards and shortening the blade by 5 cm, to 87 cm instead of 92 cm. Since these modified blades were fragile, only 3,000 were produced.