Officer saber of the Musketeers of the King’s Household

The Musketeers:

The ‘Mousquetaires de la maison militaire du roi de France’ or ‘Compagnie des Mousquetaires du Roi’ ,better known as the Musketeers of the Guard was an elite military unit of France, founded in 1622. During their existence, the Musketeers served as part of the Royal Guard of the French monarchy and were engaged in several battles and sieges in the roaring 17th and 18th century in Europe.

The company was raised in 1622 and mostly formed by young French nobility. The Musketeer company served as training school which ended up in an elite unit protecting the Monarch while out of the royal residence. They were initialy lead by Cardinal Richelieu. After several years the company was split up in 1664, the 1st company, the grey company, named after the color of their horses, and the 2nd company, the black company which was equipped with black horses.

The Musketeers were an important part of France’s elite royal household and got their fame in numerous important French battles and uprises such as the Siege of La Rochelle and the storming of Valenciennes where they deserved their fame, but when Alexandre Dumas, published his novel ‘The three Musketeers’ in 1844 it gave the elite force eventually their worldwide fame.

The saber:

The swords of the Musketeer companies vary within the 1st and 2nd company, the 2nd company has silvered hilts and black leather scabbards while the 1st company had gilded or brass hilts. The symbol of the Musketeers, the flaming cross, which was a sign of their catholic background, founded during the Rohan wars, supporting the catholic Monarchy.

An interesting feature is that this blade is from a series known within the Garde Du Corps Du Roy, the elite household unit of the French Monarchy which protected and served the king mostly within the residences. This unit was divided in four companies named after their captain. The fourth company was named Compagnie de Luxembourg of which Michel Pétard wrote the following:

“The overall appearance of this weapon places it in the first half of the 18th century and corresponds to the usual models of the mounted troops of the King’s Household for ordinary service. But the inscriptions engraved on the blade clearly evoke the middle of the century, probably an update replacing an older blade. Several identical specimens are known to us. The four companies existing at this time bear the name of their captain and which can be found on the blades. First company: Noailles, Second company: Beauvau, Third company: Villeroy, Fourth company: Luxembourg. Strong mount in the Musketeer style, of a style which appeared at the end of the 17th century. In silver or silver-plated brass… The furnisher Guilmin, established in Versailles near the palace, receives orders from the guards, and subcontracts the manufacturing to Fournié which sources its blades near Sohlingen. As for the number on the blade, it is a registration number that indicates the weapon’s attachment to the institution.”

These blades are known to a group of swords worn during the mid 18th century, while the hilt on our saber is a typical 2nd company Musketeer hilt which was re-fitted in the early 19th century, supporting the Monarchy still. It is very plausible that the owner was transferred or re-assigned to the musketeer company and kept his blade, the companies were widely reorganized during the reign of Louis XVI and during the French Revolution where they eventually were disbanded. A short re-assignment was installed after the French Revolution until their final abolition in 1816.

In ”The Kings Musketeers and their arms” by Clement Bosson , the following is mentioned:

Two examples of the Musketeer saber hilts with four and two sidebars, both depicting the flaming cross. Early 19th  century. source: The World of d’Artagnan.

‘The moment they return to Paris, before the Hundred Days, the musketeers carry a saber different from that of the Ancien Regime. The hilt is composed of a guarding branch and of two or four branches on the sides with the musketeers’ famous motif in on the grip: the flaming cross in the form of the fleur-de-lis’.

Hilt:
Known as the 1814 Model with its large bronze guard consisting of three bars bearing the arms of the Musketeers, the flaming cross in a cartouche. The thumb rest stands out and is decorated with a Fleur de lis. The grip is mount in black sheep leather with silver wire grip, which was restored professionally. The pommel is slightly rounded and shows a border of acanthus leaves.

Sideview of the Model 1814 saber of the 2nd Company of the Kings Musketeers, with typical period blade. source: The World of d’Artagnan.

Conservation:
The sword was found in a Parisian estate, covered in old remains of grease and weapon oil which preserved the sword outstandingly. The silver wire on the grip was torn and professionally restored by Atelier Lagidse in The Netherlands. An important note is that the restorer mentioned the hilt was never recently removed before to assemble the blade and hilt which proves its authenticity of the combination of blade and hilt.

Blade:

The blade is marked with the Mouchette in Solingen of triangular section, supplied by Guillemin in Versailles, fourbisseurs that the Royal Guards most often use, straight with a strong median edge and double grooves on each side, 91.2 cm long, Engraved Compagnie du Luxembourg, ‘Guards of the Body of the King’ framed with fleurs-de-lis, Guilmin Md Fourbisseur in Versailles N° (blanc) and the mark of the mouchette in Solingen on the forte, on the other side Supplied Md Fourbisseur Rue Dauphine in Paris surmounted by a trophy of arms, the arms of France crowned with laurel branches and the radiant sun. It bears its original scabbard with silvered brass fittings and leather throat piece.

Conclusion:

A very rare encounter on today’s market. An exceptional and uncommon piece, this weapon showcases a rare combination of blade and hilt, expertly unified during the Restoration period. A significant artifact within French Monarchy weaponry, it holds notable historical value and a distinguished royal provenance—making it a prized addition to any serious collection.