17th-early 18th century. 8 1/8” medially ridged blade. Elegant rhino horn grip with crescent form pommel and flared base. Shows exceptional age and use, The grip with an iron sleeve and the base with a brazed seam iron band, both preserving it for further service and both very well aged matching the uniform character. The efforts to preserve this example and the obvious service which it performed after those reinforcements, suggest that it had a very specific heirloom value to the family it served, perhaps the instrument of a historic assassination. Among the very earliest we have offered.
