French 1st Empire Infantry Officers Sword, No Scabbard

Original era manufacture. A handsome looking sword with a slightly curved polished steel blade, measuring 27.5 inches in length. The blade runs straight and true with deeply etched designs on each side extending about eight inches up from the guard. Likely these were once gilded with a blue finish at one time. The blade is clean with a nice luster to the steel surface, showing some typical staining and clouding along its length, no nicks in the cutting edge. Proofed on the base of the blade spine above the guard. Very ornate single branch guard with pronounced langets. Wooden grip with a delicately carved x-design on each panel. A nice honest old sword, no scabbard