EL6465 - A scarce French North African Army officer's sword, perhaps for an officer of Zouaves. The M1857 NCO type blade is 32 inches long and double-fullered, double-edged, firm in the hilt. The hilt is rather reminiscent of British swords in the arrangement of bars, though it has some very pretty curling details , which makes it unusual in both French and British swords, and suggests it was a more costly sword. The pommel is also unusually decorated and again this suggests extra expense. The maker is obscured by pitting, but I believe it to read Coulaux Freres of Klingenthal. There is light pitting in places to both hilt and blade, with some deeper pitting at the tip. No scabbard. An unusual, perhaps unique sword.
