Where to get a quality french 1800-1822 sabre repro?

[cAsheet]

Hi! I've been trying to find myself a sabre for a long time now, cold steel makes the type i seek, but i've heard cold steel sabres are awfully balanced and lack any taper at all. I have heard they improved upon it in the last few years, but i can't confirm that, and i wouldnt be able to tell before buying anyways.

So what does this leave me? Theres a lot of other reproductions of these sabres, but most of them are stainless steel ones made for officers and the like for parade use, something which im not interested in. I want an actual replica that can be sharpened and is not just a wall hanger (not that i'd actually do that much cutting).

I looked into antiques, but im not experienced enough not to get scammed, and most of them seem in shoddy condition to be comfortable to actually use, and most lack scabbards too.

 

[The Zieg]

Hi! I've been trying to find myself a sabre for a long time now, cold steel makes the type i seek, but i've heard cold steel sabres are awfully balanced and lack any taper at all. I have heard they improved upon it in the last few years, but i can't confirm that, and i wouldnt be able to tell before buying anyways.

So what does this leave me? Theres a lot of other reproductions of these sabres, but most of them are stainless steel ones made for officers and the like for parade use, something which im not interested in. I want an actual replica that can be sharpened and is not just a wall hanger (not that i'd actually do that much cutting).

I looked into antiques, but im not experienced enough not to get scammed, and most of them seem in shoddy condition to be comfortable to actually use, and most lack scabbards too.

What's your budget?

 

[horseclover]

Welcome aboard

Kult of Athena is a good site for window shopping. Museum Replicas, LK Chen, both offer early swords. Universal Swords as a producer. Historic Twist and Military Heritage in Canada. Empire Costume in France.

Originals can be found well under four figures.

Whatcha gonna do wit it?

 

[horseclover]

Also, a minor rant on handling and reproductions. If you have no experience with a given type, what would you really expect?

A French ANX type from Cold Steel is probably right up your alley. Loved and hated for a quarter of a century. LK Chen has a light cavalry, in a US civil war role but straight out of French 1822 officer swords.

I bought an India made 'College Hill' and filed the blade down a bit. It was soon after I bought a period sword for cutting. That was from Blockade Runner, a long time ago. A lot can be found on Legendary Arms Inc.

For earlier, there is a seller paint2 on ebay. Potter saber, shorter revolution stuff. The Royal Sword but email. The other two Canadians, India products as well.

Cheers
GC

 

[The Zieg]

I liked the swords at Military Heritage in Ottawa, too. My repro 1796 LC came from there at a fraction of the CS price and without CS's axe like grind.

 

[HwangJino]

I've also been seeking sabers, but from earlier time periods, but have yet to find a maker, I lie, I have found one, but the price is out of my range and is from Asia, so shipping isn't cheap.

 

[Fiddleback]

Go onto eBay and get a Bancal. (French Heavy Cavalry Cuirassiers ‘Bancal’ 1822 Troopers Sword) They are readily available and I never pay more than 300 ish. Now, the reason they are cheap is that there were a ton of unissued swords because the design was hated.

 

[horseclover]

Go onto eBay and get a Bancal. (French Heavy Cavalry Cuirassiers ‘Bancal’ 1822 Troopers Sword) They are readily available and I never pay more than 300 ish. Now, the reason they are cheap is that there were a ton of unissued swords because the design was hated.

Search Labs | AI Overview

"Bancal" is a French word that translates to "wobbly" or "unstable" in English.

The French returned to their senses with the 1854.

Cheers
GC

 

[Fiddleback]

Search Labs | AI Overview

"Bancal" is a French word that translates to "wobbly" or "unstable" in English.

The French returned to their senses with the 1854.

Cheers
GC

Yes. It wasn't a good design. If you're looking for a well designed cavalry sabre the brit 1796 is king. But the heavy awkward Bancal is great for training.

 

[horseclover]

My 1750 ish is a king

Cut vs thrust?

there were straight and curved 1796 swords from the Brits. The basic form predates them and the basic sabre hilt lasts to this day. The Germans used the sabre form at a trooper level into WWI.

Fast forward and my 1860s British officer heavy cavalry duty sword weighs right around 2 lbs. I have a pdf around here compiled by Nick Thomas&friend. It matches well with the few dozen I have (and I have a small collection). My closet of shame pales in comparison with some but I've appreciated differences between British and French philosophies about swords.

Nick &Alex.pdf

drive.google.com

That old king marked sabre one of my favorites

Cheers
GC