France, Third Republic (1870-1940). - Lot 323

France, Third Republic (1870-1940). Épée dite à ciselure d'Officier supérieur de toutes armes, model of March 19, 1872, privately made by E. BIDAL in Paris, without scabbard. Gilt bronze mounting, inverted truncated-cone pommel decorated with half-lightning, joint arch decorated with half-lightning, dividing at its base into two small branches. Crossbar chased with laurel foliage and quillon ending in a palmette. Black filigree horn spindle. Kidney-shaped keyboard flanked by a wreath of laurel and oak leaves resting on six flags. Manceaux-type folding counter-keyboard. Scarlet wool tie. Stained gray, diamond-shaped blade signed on the heel "E. BIDAL Rue Richelieu Paris" and hallmarked "H M" with a bee. (Watermark on spindle missing, horn damaged and missing. Fairly good condition.) 98 cm (Blade 81.5 cm).