Lot 467
467
A RARE DAGGER OF A MEMBER OF THE FRENCH MAMELUK GUARD, imitating a jambiya, the slender curved double-edged blade (some pitting) of hollow triangular section, etched 'Coulaux Frères' on one face and 'M-fture de Klingenthal' on the other, waisted hilt comprising vertically ribbed leather-covered wooden grip of flattened oval section, oval cast brass guard and pommel-cap, the former formed as a stylised lotus-flower, the latter surmounted by a staple-shaped ring for a lanyard and stamped with initials J(?)B, in original wood-lined brass scabbard (slight split and denting) with rear suspension hook and shaped pierced finial, 1801-4

Details
A RARE DAGGER OF A MEMBER OF THE FRENCH MAMELUK GUARD, imitating a jambiya, the slender curved double-edged blade (some pitting) of hollow triangular section, etched 'Coulaux Frères' on one face and 'M-fture de Klingenthal' on the other, waisted hilt comprising vertically ribbed leather-covered wooden grip of flattened oval section, oval cast brass guard and pommel-cap, the former formed as a stylised lotus-flower, the latter surmounted by a staple-shaped ring for a lanyard and stamped with initials J(?)B, in original wood-lined brass scabbard (slight split and denting) with rear suspension hook and shaped pierced finial, 1801-4
21in. [E.69]

Lot Essay

The Mameluk Guard, comprising a squadron of cavalry, was formed by Napoleon Bonaparte during his Egyptian campaign, and brought back to France in 1801. By 1804 they were attached to the Régiment de Chasseurs à Cheval Impérial de la Garde. Coulaux Frères took over the Klingenthal manufactory in 1801, and it became the 'Manufacture Impériale' after Napoleon became Emperor on 18 May, 1804. The dagger must therefore date from between 1801 and 1804. It was designed by the distinguished gunmaker N.N. Boutet of Versailles

See Ariès, XV, 1 fascicule

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