Antique French infantry officer's sword, 1882 model

[@OzoneoceanMJM]

Very cool! It's good to hear about your perspective on the 19th century military swords of some of the other nationalities.

[@RobThorntonSoloClimber]

Thats fascinating fullering Matt.Ive seen a similar fuller setup on an old rapier blade,but never on a sabre.Many thanks.

[@100thdragoon]

The French were the keen edge of military thought - the avant-garde if you will - throughout the 18th-early 20th centuries, and it tells in even the smallest details such as their swords.

[@Kretek]

I must say that this cross section just blew my mind.

[@discochoir]

Very interesting. I like counter intuative designs that are well thought out like that.

[@AA-db9cb]

Great review of a great sword.

[@Jossandoval]

+XpiisamirottaX That's the problem with fans. Personalities today can't even comment without getting swarmed.

[@scottmcfall4561]

That is bordering on genius! Thanks for sharing, Matt.

[@vaughn9134]

Glad you mentioned the problems left handed people face when looking for swords from that time period, the best i have found are things like highland broadswords, cutlasses some small swords or something like the 1796 heavy and light cavalry swords they have in the case of the heavy cavalry sword a disc guard and a knuckle bow and in the case of the light cavalry sword a basic quilion and simple knuckle bow, Matt may know of more but it is hard work finding them especially in for a sword or sabre that is for infantry use rather than for cavalry, if any one out there knows any others I would love to know , thanks.

[@dreadthemadsmith]

I love everything about that sword. How much did it cost you?

[@scholagladiatoria]

+Dread, the Mad Smith Yes it's a very nice sword. I'd prefer not to say what I bought it for, in case I want to sell it! But you can get decent examples without a scabbard for around £200+ - more with a scabbard.

[@dreadthemadsmith]

scholagladiatoria Not too bad then. Scabbard included right?

[@scholagladiatoria]

+Dread, the Mad Smith I don't have the scabbard for this one unfortunately.

[@keithlocke2205]

Thank you sir, I had just the bare blade from one of these about 20 years ago, and never had a clue what the hell it was!!!!

[@FrogmortonHotchkiss]

Matt, I saw your photos of military gear in Austria - so much of it was incredibly exotic and maybe worth a vid or two? I couldn't tell whether all of the strangeness I saw was just decorative/ceremonial; some of it looked unusual-yet-potentially-functional. Like that huge pick with the super-long spike!? Some weird sword cross-sections, too. Really, it was like someone mocked up gear from Skyrim to play a joke on everyone... Stunning, fantasy world stuff.

[@melkior13]

That is really interesting - I wonder why it wasn't more common if it was particularly effective. Maybe just too costly for manufacturing?

[@davidbradley6040]

You are right,I hadn't seen that before

[@tatayoyo337]

french genius ;-)

[@scholagladiatoria]

+clubinglex Absolument

[@thiagodunadan]

The ridges on the hilt look amazing, and this exotic blade is cool.

[@victoriansword]

Great sword, Matt. a lot of these M1882s--maybe they are later ones--have more slender blades. This one looks like it was meant for use!

[@JC-Denton]

Mighty interesting, thanks for sharing and vive la France! :-)

[@100dfrost]

Matt, the swords on your website look fairly reasonably priced. I like the infantry officers swords. Thank-you, Dante.

[@AntiCitizenZero]

Matt, have you considered doing a video on left versus right handed swordsmanship, with Western historical examples of individuals of one handedness learning how to effectively fight with the other? For perspective, I am a kenjutsu yudansha and it is unheard of, nearly inconceivable in fact, in our tradition to be a left handed swordsman.

[@Magey_McMage]

Hi Matt, rewatching this while I clean a pair of 1882s and lord knows you won't see this comment but what you actually have is a French Colonial sword that the 1882 was based on! That protruding eye on the knuckleguard near the pommel gives it away, normal French (IE In-Europe) military 1882s had a hole through it, not the extra eye. French Colonial troops had HUGE leeway in their swords in the mid-late 19th century. I have an example with an 1822 cavalry officer's hilt, shagreen, and then an 85cm very diamond shaped offset-fuller example along with some others. The main thing is that they became fond of the offset fuller hand-lance, for lack of a better term. Meanwhile, back in France, they looked on the Colonial/Legionnaires with a degree of jealousy as they got to go on daring adventures, and thus eventually emulated them with the 1882 pattern officially! (Brass hilts tend to be for the cavalry, steel hilts for the infantry, but with france a high degree of "bending" the rules was allowed for esprit de corps) I have a few other variations including a massive 95cmx3.5cm (keep in mind this is the same dimensions as a Swedish M1893) blade as well coming soon I will try to post about in one of the groups but I just wanted to let you know! I'd really like more research on French Colonial swords in general and how they inspired and set fashion trends for French proper military swords, might be fun with how much variation there are!

[@Magey_McMage]

Of course that being said, it is entirely likely the sword post-dates 1882, but the point in general is that it is more of the North African form that inspired the 1882 to begin with, with the protruding eye the final proof of its service location!

[@nydabeats]

Love your videos! super informative and inspiring. I'm totally hooked on HEMA, I live near Boston, USA, and I've been trying to find a class somewhere near me, no luck yet but your videos are a great help to train on my own. Thanks Mr. Easton! P.S. I'm a freelance graphic designer and if you ever need anything designed for print, clothing, videos, whatever, I'm here for you bro, I'd love to contribute to what you do.

[@joedoherty1062]

I really like this sword. I especially like the straight blade on a saber-like hilt. I really like the hilts that are bent slightly towards the long edge of the blade (in an angle similar to a kukri or epee) on a straight bladed sword similar to this one. Any suggestions on where to look for this? it is rather specific lol, but i really like it and am having a hard time finding it

[@LuxTheSlav]

Swedish model 1842 cavalry sword is probably something you'd like.

[@HibikiKano]

That was actually a really surprising but very nice blade. Would love to know where to find swords. Sadly in my coutnry antique shops did not pick up on swords yet. And if they do have them they sell early 20th century officers swords.

[@almusquotch9872]

Offsetting the bevels also allows you to make them deeper, without them connecting. Maybe the intention was to reduce weight.

[@althesmith]

Many Russian kindjals have the offset fullers as well, although they tend to be a little wider and more cut-oriented (though also very good thrusting weapons).

[@sebastianh9972]

Incredible!

[@1971irvin]

Wow that was a nice sword! I do not know so much about swords, I personally am a firearms guy, but I might consider a sword for wall decoration....

[@masterdimsen]

Apropos left handed swordsman, in the danish armory museum (tøjhus museum) there is a lefthanded sword which was made for an officer (I think) who had lost his right hand, cant remember the details to be honest, been a little while since I've been there

[@hjorturerlend]

Hey, ever owned a Prussian M1742 Cuirassier Sword? :) From the looks of the model, it seems like a broadsword with a semi-basket/shell hilt. At the the very end of the 18th century the broadsword blade was replaced with a backsword blade, the M1742/97 if I remember correctly. Was in service for a very long time, from Hohenfriedberg and Rossbach to Leibzig and Waterloo :)

[@scholagladiatoria]

+hjorturerlend No I'm afraid I've never owned one and I don't recall ever even having held one.

[@hjorturerlend]

scholagladiatoria Hmm ok, thought you might, seeing as it was in service for around 80 years, but then 18th century blades aren´t as common as those from the end of the time of "cold steel" :)

[@plasmathunderdx]

That is brilliant design.

[@GunFunZS]

That sword is gorgeous.

[@GunFunZS]

I've set up a search so that I will be informed if they come up cheaply.

[@laionidas7614]

Agreed, it'd be an insta-buy for me. What I particularly like is that the side that has the fuller at the back, is the backhand or 'ura' side, which makes a lot of sense for a right-hand weapon. They even thought about that!

[@sharkfinbite]

A sword in an antique shop.... Something about that seems off and intriguing . I know it is another country but.... it's like seeing a flintlock rifle in a pawn shop to me. You know that item most likely had a interesting story behind it. It might have had a fascinating life leading from how it started and all the way it got up to modern times into the pawn shop.

[@notpulverman9660]

sharkfinbite where the heck else would you expect it? Antique shop is the FIRST place you'd expect a sword. and flintlock in a pawn shop? Not really weird, since many or most pawn shops welcome firearms. In America(idk where you're from), flintlocks aren't even legally firearms, and aren't even regulated at all! This means any pawn shop would take a flintlock, regardless of being licensed as a gun shop or not.

[@philvalz]

That hilt is beautiful! :O

[@jacktraveller8290]

Most of the sabre Ive seen in HEMA is quite cut centric, and thrusting is thought of as quite risky. How did the development of thrust centric sabres come about, and did people who used them have to adapt their system of fighting?

[@richardmcginnis5344]

i picked up a similar sword yesterday at a yard sale, the guy who had it was selling his father's stuff sort of a un official estate sale, and the thing was just sitting there the scabbard was spray painted black and the handle was all taped up, so i grabbed it and paid 10 dollars for it. oh i almost forgot, the sword was stuck in the scabbard. when i got home the first thing i did was scrape the paint off the scabbard and found between the ring and where the sword goes in, the letters tol , and at the bottom the number 26. on the blade right at the front of the brass guard is a head with a crown on it and no other marks. anyone have any idea where it may have come from? any information would be helpful and very appreciated

[@calmont34]

Yep, it's stiffer so that it doesn't bend when there's a lot of wind.

[@pimpedouthorseradish5696]

As a lefty, I can say that even today we're "forced" to have some degree of ambidexterity, so much so that I generally prefer using a sword in my right hand. It's also important to remember that an officer might have a sword and pistol in much of these periods, so having a dominant hand holding a pistol to fire before contact while already having the sword drawn and ready could be extremely useful. It's also worth noting that keeping the right foot forward is both how right handed swordsmanship (incidentally, both longsword and single sword without a shield) and left handed unarmed fighting is generally done. Being able to get in a surprise punch is not to be underestimated.

[@Rikitocker]

Reminds me of something perfectly tailored for St Martins' system of Sabre - his guard position for one.

[@JCOwens-zq6fd]

I had seen such fullering quite a lot before but i have been studying Kindjal/Qame etc for some time. Many uf not most of those have it

[@RelativelyBest]

I've heard about this type of blade, but I don't think I've never actually seen one. Good find.

[@MrMonkeybat]

How deep are the fullers? Do they go past midway through the blade necessitating that they alternate rather than having 4 fullers? How much more would the blade weigh and how differently do you think it would behave if it had no fullers?

[@hideopalescent]

This is conceptually sort of similar to a modern knife design - the BESH wedge. I always thought it was gimmicky, but it does make sense as more of a dedicated thrusting weapon.

[@Sabortooftigar]

that's amazing.

[@Leman.Russ.6thLegion]

I have one of these, but the hilt is off. It's an 1876 date, 1822. It has the dates and info etched on the spine. But the blade has 2 fullers. Is it common? The tang is able to be rehilted.

[@HamsterPants522]

Matt, I have a question about something that's been on my mind for years. Is there any historical material, either treatises or historical accounts, detailing combat on flights of stairs? I ask because I don't imagine it would be very easy to do. I'm curious how it would even work most effectively.

[@prechabahnglai103]

What next? A "W" cross section?Great video Matt :)

[@jameskoury3473]

Nice video, I am a collector of WWI and WWII militaria from various nations. I have been on a French binge as of late. I do not own many swords, but I just picked up the 1882 Infantry Officers Sword. Very nice blade, I love mine. It is a little rusted in some parts. Any useful and safe cleaning methods?

[@JFHomehr]

Any particuliar marking on the sword or the hilt? What is the length of the blade? I have the leaflet of Christian Ariès about those sword, with a quick rundown of the concept of the model. ^^

[@wildrover1076]

This is off topic, but I have been wondering why infantry officers didn't use any bucklers in combat during the 18th and early 19th centuries when close combat was still important. Were bucklers completely useless in typical fighting situations like close formation combats mostly against bayonets?

[@martinborgen]

I imagine the pistol was better ;)

[@wiskadjak]

Have you done any measurements on this sword? I would be interested to know it's physical properties. Weight, blade length, point of balance, point of percussion, nodes of vibration & distal taper.

[@dmytroy]

That is really clever design, never seen or heard of anything like this. Was this a standard blade or some something custom made?

[@uberethair]

That's a beautiful sword.

[@Duzzies-101]

Matt, you seem happy to put your fingers on the blade on both modern and antique swords. I have never handled an antique sword but my experience with modern ones is it will always leave a stain if you don't wipe the area you touched immediately. Could you make a video addressing this please?

[@jdziedzic11]

what is the sword hanging on the wall in the middle hanging vertically?? it appears to be British but I cant tell, very pretty, would like to know more

[@Riceball01]

This video brings up a question I just thought of, was it common or heard of for officers (and enlisted too) to use captured weapons? I know that you've mentioned cases of officers using custom made swords, some of which aren't quite regulation in appearance, so have you read about officers using, both during and after a battle, captured swords because they like the other one better or didn't want to bother with getting a proper regulation replacement?

[@AkosKovacs.Author.Musician]

Hi Matt its offtopic but are you plan to do review about the weapons and armor from the witcher 3?

[@edwardcahill7472]

I have a WW1 artillary officers sword and it has the same cross section

[@lajospapp258]

I quess this is not quantifiable, but does this blade has more cutting capacity than the british 1897 infantry officer's sword? They seem to be similar in concept, but this seems a little bit lighter for some reason.

[@scholagladiatoria]

+Lajos Papp Guessing, based on my experience, I'd say that both have about the same (not very good) cutting capacity. The British 1897 is stiffer and slightly heavier I would say, plus it has a much more protective hilt. However I prefer the French 1882 for reasons I can't exactly explain!

[@lajospapp258]

+scholagladiatoria Thank you for the response. It's a very handsome and unique sword, that's sure! :)

[@TheCrusader1099]

Hi Matt! I am a sword collector from Germany and also a huge fan of your channel! I would like to know your opinion of the French briquet sabre(because I own a reproduction of it, and I love it:-))...You can see my sabre on a video in my channel....I still dont know the manufacturer of this sword...maybe you can help if you want to! Thx!

[@Regolith86]

Any idea on how common this blade type was? I'm wondering if it might have been an experimental model, or perhaps a bespoke blade made for a specific officer...

[@althesmith]

The fullering is similar to many kindjal blades.

[@Feldscher1039]

This doesn't seem to be a very common concept, I for one have never seen a blade made like this before. Is it more difficult to make than a diamond section with a fuller on each side in the middle? Or can you think of any other reasons why this design isn't as common?

[@WeretigerX]

Were there any 1914 or 1915 sabers or swords that were used in the Great War?

[@gerryedwards1174]

I know that both swords and cavalry were barely seen in Europe, but it would be interesting to see if the same was true in the middle east. I think the Turks were still using swords but I'd be interested to find out too.

[@BoomerZ.artist]

Could you punch some one with the guard and not bend/break it?

[@revera89]

Speaking of Roman, got any gladius videos?

[@MrGrimm1911]

What is the middle sword hanging on the wall over his right shoulder?

[@ClausewitzMTH]

That's really kinda cool.

[@kingnikolaj]

I got that type but from "François Delacour & Backes" so I was wondering if you know anything on those arms maker?

[@SlurponMuhdickKillTheState]

I like the hilt.

[@buffordevans6942]

Matt I'm searching for a 1882 for my first antique to my large modern collection ...Any pointers? ( no pun intended)

[@jmcdjmc6360]

I've got one

[@MrRapidPotato]

One day, I will have the disposable income to afford such a sword! I do wonder, where/what type of antique shops sell or deal in swords? or is it more of a lucky find in a small and novel antique shops?

[@ryanhojun]

Why do you think they used a hilt that has massive hole if this sword was a thruster

[@dylanlewis9349]

that's pretty dope

[@Duke_of_Lorraine]

Late 19th century... was the sword industrially made, or still traditionnally forged ?

[@PJDAltamirus0425]

+scarfacemperor Stock removal actual goes back to the Middle ages along with water powered hammers to pound out iron billets into blade shapes.

[@Lunumbrus]

Is that a Besh Wedge profile, then?

[@althesmith]

I've most commonly seen that type of fullering on kindjals.

[@crayonoir]

Was this blade cross section standard for this model, or was it more of a special order from an officer?

[@scholagladiatoria]

+crayonoir It was a special order option, it seems - not the standard blade, but not incredibly rare either.

[@Lukos0036]

Have any American sabers in your collection? Or are they just to much of a pain in the ass to acquire?

[@sharpie443]

That would go good with my French dragoon pistol. Not exactly the same era but i don't think I'm going to find a 1760's era french sword.

[@mysocks7884]

Got a 1882 with the same blade

[@ernestsheffield9976]

Neat!

[@jancello]

It looks like a giant bayonet, this blade !

[@Robert399]

Maybe the sword's for a left-hander and you've got your hand upside-down in the hilt :P

[@pitchiner2865]

I bought one to battle my friend's katana. I won somehow.

[@notpulverman9660]

Why wouldn't it win? Everything about the sword is superior to katana, except that the sword would have inferior cutting ability.

[@MrHansBen]

That small sword looks like a Collichemarde sword...

[@الاسدالهصيل]

Une épée ancienne de la campagne Français contre l’Egypte, qui vous tient la main / combien est évalué en dollars

[@kuntybabushka4326]

is that an indian "pata" you got there matt?

[@SlurponMuhdickKillTheState]

I've never seen a cross section like that.

[@johnhanley9946]

So, it's technically a spadroon?

[@MonuKhan-xf2bm]

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[@CZOV]

Only if they were making cars that good!

[@masterof1]

It's official my first attempt at sword smithing will be an adaptation on this design.

[@stillenacht8518]

Thatoneguy overthere Being a smith myself, I will say that the blade should be fairly simple to reproduce and can be mounted on any hilt you like, but you will rip the hair out of your head or give up on bladesmithing entirely if you attempt to reproduce this blade in its entirety. This is not a slight against your skill. I had been working with steel and iron for quite some time before I made a sword, and it came out quite well, but was far more complicated than I should have attempted and still came out NOTHING like I had envisioned. This isn't what you want to hear, but if the blade is something you love and of a particular design, wait until you know exactly what it takes to produce each individual detail and have practiced those details many times in other places. When your hands can faithfully shape what your mind and heart is describing, that is when you build the sword you imagined when you started.

[@masterof1]

Stille Nacht I see your point. When I started making knives my first attempts were atrocious. What I have learned is that the only way to learn is by doing it. It may take me several attempts but I will eventually make the blade. Thank you for the encouragement.

[@stillenacht8518]

Thatoneguy overthere No problem man. Keep making!

[@Xanatos712]

Now that is unusual. Leave it to the French, am I right?

[@killmypoptart]

French swords are really good, the nice white sheet flaps in the wind very well.

[@scholagladiatoria]

+ThornTheBranch

[@Altrantis]

+scholagladiatoria Vietnam is one of those special places. Attacking Vietnam is llike attacking Russia in winter.

[@alexsitaras6508]

+Altrantis the chiense invasion failed as well, though they claimed victory even though they were forced to withdraw

[@alfatazer_8991]

+Altrantis Except when you're, wait for it.... THE MONGOLS!

[@Altrantis]

*old movie clip of mongols pillaging*

[@TheRealJman87]

I got the first view :)

[@ARR0WMANC3R]

+Joshua Carr (ThePistolKing) Well aren't you special.

[@TheRealJman87]

ARR0WMANC3R Yay!

[@dizzt19]

Interesting, maybe it was made to deceive? :)

[@charkvaror2112]

#Mers-El-Kébir #NeverForget

[@druisteen]

never handle , dropped only once

[@gpgpgpgp1000]

+druisteen Idiot.

[@druisteen]

+gpgpgpgp1000 were is the white flag ?

[@gpgpgpgp1000]

+druisteen That depends. Are you talking about all the white flags presented to French military during their hundreds of years of being a military force to reckon with? Do you mean the English white flags at the end of the Hundred Years War? Do you mean all who surrendered to Napoleon? Do you mean Serbian and Iraqi forces who hoped the French Air Force would stop bombing them? Do you mean the German white Flags at the end of WWI ? Or maybe you are referring to WW2? Well in that case, you would have to find it among the Polish white flags, the Czech white flags, the Dutch white flags, the Belgian white flags, the white flags of North African forces, the white flags which would have flown over England if the Germans were not stopped by the English Channel. Roll around in your historical ignorance like a dog rolls in poop. I'm sure it feels good against your skin. Just for the record, I'm not even French. I just hate ignorance.

[@druisteen]

gpgpgpgp1000 no i talk about the french surrender stick

[@notpulverman9660]

gpgpgpgp1000 Dogs don't roll in poop, you ignorant fool! (They avoid their poop. When possible, they deliberately bury it). Have you never seen a dog before? Why would you think dogs do that?