A FRENCH M1887 ARTILLERY OR GRENADIERS N.C.O.’S SHORT SWORD IN SCABBARD, MATCHING NUMBERS. FRANCE 1888.
Origin: France, May 1888.
French Model 1887 Line Officer's short sword (Epee)with artillery/grenadiers badge on the outer guard clamshell. Manufactured at the Chatellerault Arsenal in 1888.
Blade: steel straight half-hollow-diamond (three-edged T-shaped ) cross-section blade. Marked on ricasso: M[anufactu]re d’Armes / de Chat[ellerault] / Mai 1888 / Epee de S.O. / M[odel]le 1887.
White, non ferrous metal (aluminum) hilt, cast in one piece. Clamshell guard with the inner clamshell laying flat and the outer slightly extended. On the front clamshell attached brass "grenade". Grip with imitation of the wire. Stamped: 5475.
Steel scabbard with a single carrying ring. Top band stamped with: 5473, matching the number on the hilt.
Overall length in scabbard – 97,5 cm; overall length out of scabbard - 96 cm; blade length – 81 cm.
Keywords: sword, saber, sabre, Sabel, Schwert, szabla, szablya, glaive, Dolch, hanger, сабля