Briquets/Infantry Swords.

There seem to be a few replicas available, with minor differences in blade length and hilt design. Weapon Edge make one- here's Stromloswords' website- it's the seventh one down

www.stromloswords.com/french_swords.html

I'm pretty sure Deepeeka make one, although most people here would advise steering well clear of anything made by Deepeeka. There's one offered by a mob here in Australia that seems to be from a third, unknown source (I don't think it's from Deepeeka)...

www.medieval-fightclub.com/products/Cavalry-Sabre.html

I've seen a few others around the place, most of, probably, questionable usability.

I'm quite interested in these briquets myself, but can't vouch for how accurate any replica is to originals. Remember that these were widely made and issued throughout the nineteenth century, often as police or customs officers sidearms, so many of the originals were probably of more 'ceremonial' quality than 'battle ready', for want of a better term.

Cast brass hilts are sometimes derided, on the grounds that due to the softness of the metal they inevitably develop rattles in the hilt after extended use, and because of their construction are difficult to repair. I haven't enough experience to comment on whether that's an accurate criticism.

Is it this particular sword you want, or simply something of this nature? There are many other short-saber style swords on offer, from a variety of manufacturers. I particularly like the Windlass "Pirate Companion Sword" which is based on a French naval cutlass. In fact, I have two of them, and reviewed them here-
/index.cgi?board=swordreviews&action=display&thread=10078&page=1#162778

Windlass also has a copy of the US 1860 naval cutlass-
kultofathena.com/product.asp?item=500152

Lets see... G. Gedney Godwin have a large selection of replica hangers and cutlasses-
www.gggodwin.com/cartgenie/prodList.asp?scat=10

If you do some searches on assorted retailers sites using the terms "briquet", "hanger" and "cutlass" you'll find a plethora of short, curved slice-y goodness

Hope that's been of some help!


Cheers

Marc E

i823.photobucket.com/albums/zz154/johnskyfire/briquets/1A.jpg
Hey, King. Usually a few to choose from on ebay; I don't know how to insert photos, but this link is to one thats currently bidding about $200 or so. Also, these are mostly original period pieces.

I don't know that I'd want to go bashing up targets with a period piece... and just for the record, you're welcome to use my first name.



Marc, +1 for all the links. I'll decide on something later; for now, I need to put a suitably beastly hilt on my 36" heavy cavalry sabre.

If I remember correctly, it's because Napoleon's Imperial Guard, who carried these weapons throughout the wars, thought they were only good for chopping kindling!

Thinking about it, if you've got a musket with a bayonet, which is a pretty devastating close-quarters combination, why on earth would you drop it to draw a shortsword? Despite the guardsmen's disdain for the briquet, the emperor insisted they continue to carry it. I don't know if there's any documentation as to why, but I've always suspected Boney wanted his guardsman to be armed with the sword as a sort of ennoblement, almost equating them with the minor nobility of the pre-revolution years. Or at least raising them to the social level of the sword-bearing cavalry.

I'm also unaware of any recorded instance of briquets being used in combat. If any of you have come across any instances I'd be most interested to hear about it!

Cheers

Marc E

close enough Marc ... BRAVO !!

a "briquet" translated into English means "lighter" so ... into the eyes of the French cavalry who carried much longer swords, the short Infantry sword was only suited to be used as "fire starting" flints! ...