Lot Essay
A sword very similar (although not identical) to the first of these weapons is illustrated in May & Annis, Swords for Sea Service, plate 97, and stated to have been surrendered by Capitaine L' Hercule in 1798, and now in the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich. The blade of the latter weapon is only 26in. (66cm.) long
This style of sword, with its moving-bar guard and scallop edging to the bars, bears a striking resemblance to the Austrian cavalry sword of the same era, the latter being differenced principally by having a lion's head pommel
This style of sword, with its moving-bar guard and scallop edging to the bars, bears a striking resemblance to the Austrian cavalry sword of the same era, the latter being differenced principally by having a lion's head pommel