French Short Saber (Spadroon)

VAFO00000366_D_1.jpg
VAFO00000366.jpg

Title

French Short Saber (Spadroon)

Description

This expanding guard has a hollowed out knuckle bow into which fits two thin sections that pivot out when needed and lock into position by a spring near the grip's base. A small friction clip from the outboard branch fits through a mid-point hole in the others when closed. The ball pommelled steel hilt includes a dished bilobate counterguard. Its long straight square-backed blade was originally marked "Vive Le Roy", and apparently altered to "Vire La Patrie" during the French Revolution.

Length: 41 3/4"
Blade: 35" x 7/8"
Weight: 1.5 lbs.
Hilt: Steel

Source

George C. Neumann, Swords and Blades of the American Revolution, (Harrisburg: Stackpole Books, 1973), 116. (165.S)

Date

c. 1775-1792

Rights

George C. Neumann Collection, Valley Forge National Historical Park

Identifier

VAFO 366

Original Format

Photogarph