France, III Republic. An 1882 Pattern Infantry Officer’s Sword, by Gustave Barré

A well-preserved 1882 Pattern Infantry Officer’s sword, measuring 104 cm in total length when inserted into the scabbard. It features an 88 cm-long, nickel-plated, magnetic steel blade with a sharpened tip and a narrow fuller running the majority of the length of each side. The reverse ricasso bears a maker’s mark of “G. BARRÉ, FABR., PARIS”. It sits securely within a multi-piece hilt which features a gilded bronze hand guard and pommel bearing arabesque designs, inset with a ribbed wooden handle grip. It is accompanied by its original scabbard, constructed of a polished magnetic metal shaft. An integral band situated just below the throat retains a loop for the accommodation of a hanger. The throat retains a mostly-functional spring catch to hold the sword in place during storage. Some issues consistent with age and wear are evident, and include running marks to the blade, loosening of the structure of the hilt, the loss of the handle grip’s wire, and minor surface oxidation of the scabbard. The sword remains in an overall very fine condition.