FRENCH SMALLSWORD C.1760

Bronze hilt, originally gold plated, decorated throughout with rococo foliage and geometric motifs. Scalloped edge boat form guard and knuckle bow attached to the pommel with a screw. Small chip to the pommel button. 31 3/8” blade in two stages. Each of the flattened diamond sections, stepped 5 ½” below the guard. The upper segment with discretely applied tool texture obliterating the original decoration which would have been royalty themed (the Sun King was a popular motif) in support of the French Revolution of two decades later. A page right out of French history!