Weaponedge - Military Heritage 1802 Guard Chasseurs Sword
Feb 27, 2013 3:00:35 GMT
Post by Deleted on Feb 27, 2013 3:00:35 GMT
Warnings
The sword I no longer possess and so most of the pictures used here are from Military Heritage and Armae's current swords and the ones of the authentics are from Expert Armes and from one of my books on French light cavalry weaponry.
Historical overview
The Mounted Chasseurs were the elite of the light cavalry and were as such Napoleon’s goons; they made sure the Emperor’s life was always secure by the way of reconnaissance, close quarter protection and escorting.
The unit was created in1801 during the Italian campaign as a result of Bonaparte being nearly captured by a group of Austrian light cavalry on reconnaissance and later decided a corps of bodyguards was needed. When their numbers fell during the 1812 Russian Horror their absence was duly felt as Napoleon was again attacked by light cavalry (Cossacks) and narrowly escaped being captured or killed.
This prestigious unit is one of the best remembered symbols of the Nap wars (Bonaparte always wearing the green-red colonel-commander uniform under his grey vest) and obviously someone had to make swords that closely resembled the ones issued to the troops and those that the officers carried.
Since we are dealing with the same unit, I will make a 2 part review: one for the 1802 sword for non-comissioned members and another for the officer's model.
PART I: TROOPER MODEL
Here we have the trooper models done by Weapon edge and/or Universal Live/ History reliks or whatever and distributed to almost every sword seller: Armae, Empire Costume, Military heritage (to some extent) and various less well know websites.
Chevalier d’Auvergne also produces the trooper version but that is an exception because they supposedly forge their own version, how different that one is compared to the Indian ones I don’t know.
The problem now is that these Indian made models are also the same ones that are very frequently encountered on eBay and live auctions as FAKES, meaning repros sold as real weapons. I have pointed out some hints on how to identify (more easily) the repros on the market. As I was writing these lines one of these fakes recently appeared on eBay, I invite you to spot it and the many indications that give away it's a ‘’false nature''
Overview
At first sight the reproduction seems like a very true version of the sword carried from 1802. The handle has the typical Hungarian round and curved pommel with a simple knuckle bow guard and diamond langets. The scabbard is the type 3 model that came out in 1803 with reinforced bracelets. This type of sword was carried mainly by the Guard Chasseurs but also other Guard light units (Lancers, Horse artillery).
The Blade
Curved single broad fullered blade much like an original piece in form and dimensions. There are a couple of inspector stamps that are for directors Mouton (M with wheel or star) and Levavasseur (LW) and the spine reads Mafture Imple du Klingenthal Coulaux frères. In appearance this seems like a really well made blade.
Hand forged or whatever it is, this blade type missed the mark by a long shot: too beefy, too heavy, unbalanced and not really flexible. A real blade for light cavalry is often slimmer, twice as light and easily flexible...
Tips for fakes: the markings are a good way to spot a fake. Look up the stamps and spot 3 of them, Guard swords were upposed to be top quality weapons and passed by 3 inspections, they never had two or no stamp.
Also look for the ‘’Versailles’’ stamp anywhere on the hilt and some numbers, repros do not have these and it’s a damn good thing they forgot! Last thing: despite what is marked on the spine, swords made after 1807 always had the month and date they were created
Handle
Another hit and miss. The handle is too big and too large for light cavalry standards, the leather is Indian Jodhpur black leather that feels and looks definitely new. Overall it is a very heavy piece of brass that doesn't help with the overall balance of the weapon.
Compare the images of the repro and the ones of original period pieces: see the texture of the leather grip and its overall shape.
Scabbard
Almost a close reproduction of the piece. They are based on the 3rd model scabbard which is made of a single sheet of metal with cut out black leather langets (or panels or slots) that were the fashion for French cavalry at the time.
It looks faithful except for one big flaw: the drag. It’s just too big and shouldn’t look like that, it should resemble a cut down guitar
not a big horseshoe.
The whole scabbard is also largely overweight, almost twice in size as a real brass scabbard.
Tips: note the shape of the leather inserts in black; while these are squarer in the repros,
they are rounder in actual swords as can be seen down here
Handling
This sword is heavy…boy is it largely obese for a light cavalry sword…It doesn’t handle correctly, the weight and shape of the handle & the POB too far off make the blade hard to control.
Overall this is a clumsy piece for actual swordplay and is only good for light re-enactment or decoration but on the plus side you can train your muscles with this tool.
Conclusion
For 250$ this is not such a good deal at all so forget about buying this for 300$ and up which is the current price on the Net. It is a very nice looking sword but not so nice when you play with it. I didn’t like it one bit except for its looks and certainly do not recommend you to get it unless you pay 100$ or less.
Tips for fakes: 99% of what you will see on eBay and auctions will be actual fakes. Do not even dream you can ever have one of these for less than 3000$ from a reputed honest seller. Every seller that knows what he/she has will certainly not offer it for a ridiculously low price.
Historical accuracy: 7.5/10
Handling: 2/10
Recommended: 3/10
The sword I no longer possess and so most of the pictures used here are from Military Heritage and Armae's current swords and the ones of the authentics are from Expert Armes and from one of my books on French light cavalry weaponry.
Historical overview
The Mounted Chasseurs were the elite of the light cavalry and were as such Napoleon’s goons; they made sure the Emperor’s life was always secure by the way of reconnaissance, close quarter protection and escorting.
The unit was created in1801 during the Italian campaign as a result of Bonaparte being nearly captured by a group of Austrian light cavalry on reconnaissance and later decided a corps of bodyguards was needed. When their numbers fell during the 1812 Russian Horror their absence was duly felt as Napoleon was again attacked by light cavalry (Cossacks) and narrowly escaped being captured or killed.
This prestigious unit is one of the best remembered symbols of the Nap wars (Bonaparte always wearing the green-red colonel-commander uniform under his grey vest) and obviously someone had to make swords that closely resembled the ones issued to the troops and those that the officers carried.
Since we are dealing with the same unit, I will make a 2 part review: one for the 1802 sword for non-comissioned members and another for the officer's model.
PART I: TROOPER MODEL
Here we have the trooper models done by Weapon edge and/or Universal Live/ History reliks or whatever and distributed to almost every sword seller: Armae, Empire Costume, Military heritage (to some extent) and various less well know websites.
Chevalier d’Auvergne also produces the trooper version but that is an exception because they supposedly forge their own version, how different that one is compared to the Indian ones I don’t know.
The problem now is that these Indian made models are also the same ones that are very frequently encountered on eBay and live auctions as FAKES, meaning repros sold as real weapons. I have pointed out some hints on how to identify (more easily) the repros on the market. As I was writing these lines one of these fakes recently appeared on eBay, I invite you to spot it and the many indications that give away it's a ‘’false nature''
Overview
At first sight the reproduction seems like a very true version of the sword carried from 1802. The handle has the typical Hungarian round and curved pommel with a simple knuckle bow guard and diamond langets. The scabbard is the type 3 model that came out in 1803 with reinforced bracelets. This type of sword was carried mainly by the Guard Chasseurs but also other Guard light units (Lancers, Horse artillery).
The Blade
Curved single broad fullered blade much like an original piece in form and dimensions. There are a couple of inspector stamps that are for directors Mouton (M with wheel or star) and Levavasseur (LW) and the spine reads Mafture Imple du Klingenthal Coulaux frères. In appearance this seems like a really well made blade.
Hand forged or whatever it is, this blade type missed the mark by a long shot: too beefy, too heavy, unbalanced and not really flexible. A real blade for light cavalry is often slimmer, twice as light and easily flexible...
Tips for fakes: the markings are a good way to spot a fake. Look up the stamps and spot 3 of them, Guard swords were upposed to be top quality weapons and passed by 3 inspections, they never had two or no stamp.
Also look for the ‘’Versailles’’ stamp anywhere on the hilt and some numbers, repros do not have these and it’s a damn good thing they forgot! Last thing: despite what is marked on the spine, swords made after 1807 always had the month and date they were created
Handle
Another hit and miss. The handle is too big and too large for light cavalry standards, the leather is Indian Jodhpur black leather that feels and looks definitely new. Overall it is a very heavy piece of brass that doesn't help with the overall balance of the weapon.
Compare the images of the repro and the ones of original period pieces: see the texture of the leather grip and its overall shape.
Scabbard
Almost a close reproduction of the piece. They are based on the 3rd model scabbard which is made of a single sheet of metal with cut out black leather langets (or panels or slots) that were the fashion for French cavalry at the time.
It looks faithful except for one big flaw: the drag. It’s just too big and shouldn’t look like that, it should resemble a cut down guitar
not a big horseshoe.
The whole scabbard is also largely overweight, almost twice in size as a real brass scabbard.
Tips: note the shape of the leather inserts in black; while these are squarer in the repros,
they are rounder in actual swords as can be seen down here
Handling
This sword is heavy…boy is it largely obese for a light cavalry sword…It doesn’t handle correctly, the weight and shape of the handle & the POB too far off make the blade hard to control.
Overall this is a clumsy piece for actual swordplay and is only good for light re-enactment or decoration but on the plus side you can train your muscles with this tool.
Conclusion
For 250$ this is not such a good deal at all so forget about buying this for 300$ and up which is the current price on the Net. It is a very nice looking sword but not so nice when you play with it. I didn’t like it one bit except for its looks and certainly do not recommend you to get it unless you pay 100$ or less.
Tips for fakes: 99% of what you will see on eBay and auctions will be actual fakes. Do not even dream you can ever have one of these for less than 3000$ from a reputed honest seller. Every seller that knows what he/she has will certainly not offer it for a ridiculously low price.
Historical accuracy: 7.5/10
Handling: 2/10
Recommended: 3/10