Manufactured circa 1801-1806, this is an excellent and finely decorated sword, measuring 37 3/4 inches in overall length with a 32 inch curved single fuller blade. In a notable break from the average decorated sword blade, the etching on this example runs nearly the full length of the fuller, about 26 inches, with the lower 18 1/2 inches being gold accented, and an additional 17 1/2 inches of gold washed vine and dot work on the spine along with the wire-etched makers mark "Manufre Nle de Klingenthal C.F." (National Manufacturer at Klingenthal, Coulax Brothers). The "Nationale" verbiage was brought into use after the establishment of the First Republic, and would be retired following the establishment of Napoleon as Emperor. The Coulax Brothers were a pair of entrepreneurs (civilian managers who handled the business/finance end while artillery officers supervised the actual making of swords) who took over around 1801, and their "C.F." or "Coulax Freres" marking is typically seen as evidence that the sword was made for commercial sale. While Klingenthal was first and foremost a source of military arms, the brothers were authorized to produce for the market and on special order if no military orders were pending. The hilt is finely cast gold washed brass, bearing the "BOUTET" mark of Nicolas-Noel Boutet on the crossguard, decorated with raised armorial designs on the languets, raised laurel accents on the guard and pommel, raised floral designs and a grotesque face on the knuckle guard and a checkered one piece ebony grip. Much like Klingenthal, Boutet was something of a fixed point during a time when France itself was in near-constant flux, serving as chief gunmaker to King Louis XVI, director of the national arms establishment at Versailles during the Republic and under Napoleon, and also like Klingenthal was responsible for both day to day military arms production as well as high class arms meant for important people. While no documentation is included, it is possible that the sword blade was made in Klingenthal and then transported to Versailles for hilt mounting and scabbard assembly, with a very good possibility that it was intended for a high ranking military officer or figure of similar importance. The scabbard is chiefly gilt brass constructions, showing panels of black leather between the bands, fields of fish scale engraving with floral accents, raised floral designs on the throat and near the tip, and an iron drag.

Very fine overall. The blade shows some light spotting, with a few grain splits visible in the spine, mild handling marks, and strong etching and gold wash. The hilt is also very fine, with a bit of wear inside the guard and along the edges, and a thin crack in the right side of the grip panel. The scabbard is very good, with some hints of an aged brass patina, mild scuffs, and a few light dings. An excellent demonstration of the French armorer's craft, which would make a fine addition to any collection of Continental edged weapons.