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Three 19th-century European and American swords:
- a French Model 1855 Fireman’s Short Sword that measures 25" overall, with a straight, 19 1/2" double-edged blade having wide double fullers. This sword, very similar in design to the French Model 1831 Infantry Hanger, has a narrow straight-sided blade instead of the Model 1831’s wider and double-tapered Roman type blade. The steel retains much of the original factory polish, but does exhibit some dark freckling for about 1 1/2" at the tip. No markings are present on the ricasso, but many of these swords were manufactured at the armory in Klingenthal. The hilt features straight quillons with disk finials, grooved grip, and a rounded pommel with exposed capstan rivet, while the brass has an overall dull yellow-ochre patina throughout. The brass throat and chape of the scabbard have a matching patina, while the leather has moderate surface wear, and a partial break about halfway down on the obverse side. A partially legible marking is visible on the leather on the reverse: "(B or R)U(C)HE(?) & Ce." These swords were worn on ceremonial occasions and this example is in very good condition.
- an unmarked US Model 1850 Foot Officer’s Sword that measures 37 1/4" overall, with a 31 1/2" curved, single-edged blade having wide and narrow fullers. The unbent blade has an overall dark brown patina throughout, with moderate pitting and surface oxidation along the entire length on both sides. The brass hilt features a standard pierced counterguard, single forward-swept quillon, and knucklebow that meets an engraved "Phrygian helmet" pommel. The knucklebow has been bent straight in the middle, and the quillon is bent further forward than originally. The shagreen grip is separating where it meets the counterguard and is missing the braided wire wrap. No scabbard is included.
- a short European Infantry Hanger, or ‘Briquet’ that measures 29 1/2" overall, with a 23 7/8" curved, single-edged blade having single wide fullers. The blade has a mottled patina with some fairly bright gray along the foible, but dark freckling at the tip and mottled brown surface oxidation on the forte. No markings are visible on the ricasso, nor on the back edge. The brass hilt has a narrow counterguard, single forward-swept quillon, and a knucklebow with decorative accents at the midpoint and where it meets the pommel. The brass has an overall dull ochre patina while the leather grip has a loose, but intact braided wire wrap. No scabbard is included.
