Beschreibung:

With curved hollow-ground blade fullered along each side of the pipe-back and double-edged towards the point, entirely of damascus steel incorporating the unique inscription 'VIVA IL RE GIUSEPPE NAPOLEONE' along both sides of the blade, and etched on one side with a crowned Imperial eagle perched on a fasces bundle emitting thunderbolts, all within branches of oak, steel hilt comprising ovoidal quillon-block with ormolu mount cast and chased in relief with a lion's mask centred on a winged wreath between neo-classical palmettes, curved knuckle-guard chiselled with gadrooning along each side, downscrolled rear quillon with ormolu terminal chased with foliage including a flower-head on both sides, tapering grip set with an ebony grip-scale on each side carved in relief, one side with an Imperial eagle, an olive branch in its beak and grasping an oval shield in its talons bearing the royal 'JN' monogram, the Imperial sceptre on the left and the hand of Justice on the right, all above a Classical trophy of arms and surmounted by a crowned suspended from a ribbon, and on the other grip-scale a martial trophy of arms of musical instruments, banners and campaign tents, the pommel chiselled in the round as a snarling lion's head, all within borders of beading and faceted studs in imitation of brilliants, the latter set against slender cusped gilt straps, in its gilt-mounted steel scabbard en suite with the hilt, the locket engraved 'Manuf. Royale de Naples' on one side and with crowned oval bearing the royal 'JN' monogram in gold between scrolls, bright-cut ribbons and a crescent moon, all enriched with bright-cut steel brilliants and against a finely punched gilt ground, the chape en suite and chased with meandering flowering foliage entwined with a line of bright-cut brilliants and both suspended from a bow of ribbon, bright steel terminal shoe with small roundels each set with a brilliant, gilt barrel-shaped suspension mounts chased with a band of foliage between beaded borders and each carrying a beaded steel suspension ring. In fine condition 84.5 cm. blade, 101 cm. overall