French?, Late 18th Century Short Sword, Folding Guard
This item is listed for historical interest only. It was listed on our site previously but has been sold and is no longer available for purchase.
Sold for: $450.00

Original era manufacture. 23 inch polished steel blade now showing an even gray steel patina. On the spine, just above the guard, is a name which appears to be Gottenstern, I cannot find any reference to that maker in the sources available to us. Dark steel guard with an additional section which pivots out to the left to offer additional hand protection. In the book Les Sabres-Portes Par L'Armee Francaise by Lhoste & Resek, a chapter dealing with similar weapons with folding, or pivoting guards, is provided with an approximate date of around 1790. Leather covered wooden grip with a ridged surface. There is a hole on each side which does not go all the way through, perhaps a mounting point for a rivet. Overall the sword has a wonderful old patina, hasn't been cleaned in many generations and is just too cool with that folding guard, love it.