French 1830 Artillery Gladius

Description 🔉

French M1830 Artillery Gladius. No scabbard.

The 1831 pattern artillery short sword was a sidearm issued to the French foot artillery. Heavily influenced by the prevailing Neoclassical style of the day, the sword was based on ancient sculptural depictions of the Roman gladius, the standard blade of the Roman legionaries. The short sword would not have been a practical weapon for combat without a shield but served as a fascine knife or a machete to clear fields for the guns. It also served other practical uses, the French soldiers calling it a coupe-chou ("cabbage cutter"). It was in service until about 1870.

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For antique firearms such as muskets and rifles, this item is offered strictly as a collectors’ piece. It is sold as a historic firearm for display or study purposes only, and not as a modern, live-firing weapon. Export, import, and ownership regulations vary by country; buyers are responsible for ensuring compliance with their local laws and confirming that they are not prohibited from ownership. In accordance with UK guidelines, the seller is required to verify the buyer’s identification and age prior to completion of the sale.