French, Napoleonic swords carried by C.S. troops

[rebjeb04]

I've been wondering for sometime if anyone has any pic accounts or descriptions of Confederate or Federal officers and troops carrying Napoleonic swords and sabers. I have found a few instances, and it seems one of the most prevalent is the "Blucher" m-1796 heavy Cavalry saber. A very deadly weapon. Espeacially if you've ever seen the dude swinging this on Youtube.

a Prussian "Blucher" sword


One at the Mansfield State museum in Louisiana looks to be a French ANXI, Cavalry trooper's sword with black painted scabbard, but could be a German variation.





Here is a link to a Louisiana cavalryman wielding a m-1796 "Blucher" sword, but it is hard to see. The 1/2 plate ambrotype was sold at a New Orleans auction house.

http://www.stcharlesgallery.com/arch...ot.asp?lot=828


Thanks,

[csabugler]

Your link won't open. I looked a while back at the French saber repro from Loyalist Arms. You have had better luck researching it than I had, I found no documentation for them. Of course, research is not my specialty.

[rebjeb04]

Sorry Boys,

Try this one and scroll down to bottom lot # 828. It is hard to see the sword, but I remember asking for better scans of the image because I was thinking of bidding. The image was flaking very badly, as you can see, so I decided to hold off.

http://www.stcharlesgallery.com/archive/asearch.asp

Several old vets who fought under Napoleon re-established themselves in the American South, even founded the town of Demopolis, Al. Marengo Co. Al, is named... Yep, you guessed it the Battle of Marengo. Also there was Napoleonville, La. in Assumption parish, and no telling how many in New Orleans.

Joe Johnston carried his ancestor's sword from the Rev. War, and even sent a soldier to retrieve the heirloom after a battle. I can easily see these sons and grand-sons carrying old swords once carried at Marengo, Waterloo, etc.

Almost forgot!! Capt. Wilson of the 5th La. Inf. carried a Blucher sword and is photographed with it clearly in Portraits of Conflict: Louisiana in the Civil War!

[BobbyHughes]

The link is still a dud...

[rebjeb04]

Dang it! I'll try to get the pics posted a little later.
Thanks

[guad42]

I have likewise wondered about these, as well as pondered the use of US swords from the War of 1812 period as well.

-Sam Dolan

[Nathan Dodds]

There's a sword quite like that "blutcher" in the book The Fighting Men of The Civil War on page 84, under Union edged weapons used by Confederate Forces. But it is a Model 1812 starr saber-- I don't know if that would have been made in Europe or not.