French Napoleonic Infantry Artillery Short Sword Glaive

This sword has a sharpened, darkened 1075 high carbon steel blade with an extra-wide tang. Includes a leather scabbard with brass throat and chape. The French military based this sword on the famous and effective Roman Gladius, the standard short sword of the Roman Legionnaires. Originally issued in 1816, the solid brass hilt had a grip that resembled fish scales. When the sword was updated and reissued as the Model 1831, the grip was redesigned with a ringed pattern. Although it could be used as a combat weapon in a pinch, it was primarily used as a machete to clear fields for guns. Because of its usefulness as an all-around tool, it gained a nick-name, “coupe-chou” (roughly translating to “cabbage cutter”). The Model 1831 remained in service until about 1870, and its design was adapted by the United States to create the Model 1832 Foot Artillery Sword. More information...