French Model 1831 Naval or Colonial Foot Artillery Sword

The sword has a blade of approximately 19 1/4 inches, with an overall length of approximately 25 inches. The blade bears marks on this ricasso (almost certainly the mark of the Director, the Controller and the Reviser of the arsenal that produced the sword), above which on the crossguard is an anchor, reflecting use by the French Navy or by French colonial troops. The blade is uniformly dark, showing spots and areas of rust. There is faint engraving at the top of the blade on one side, likely the name of the arsenal that produced the sword. The sword has a one piece ribbed brass handle and guard.