The Museum turns seven this April! Help us ensure the promise of the American Revolution endures. Support Our Mission

Dismiss notification
Open Today 10 am – 5 pm Directions & Parking
Buy Tickets
Search
Suggestions:

British and French Swords

  • Not on View

On the left is a rare French presentation sword from the period of the American Revolution that bears the inscription “Ex Dono Regis” (Given by the King) on its gilded blade. The chiseled steel hilt is overlaid in gold with the royal arms of France, the royal monogram, and a silver-gilt medallion portrait of King Louis XVI. The military trophies incorporated into its design suggest that it was awarded for bravery. On the right is a finely decorated English sword, with cast and chased military trophies on the shells of its silver hilt, that bears the motto “Ne me tire pas sans raison, Ne me remette point sans honneur” (Draw me not without reason, Sheath me not without honor) on its blade. It is of a common form widely used by military officers in the British and American armies of 1775-83.

Object Details

  • French Sword (left)

    Small Sword
    Made by Jacques-T Lecourt
    Paris, Francis
    1774-1793
    Steel, Iron, Silver, Gold
    Museum of the American Revolution (Benninghoff Collection)
    2007.00.0011

  • British Sword (right)

    Small Sword
    Made by Joseph Clare
    London, England
    1762
    Steel, Iron, Silver, Gold
    Museum of the American Revolution (Benninghoff Collection)
    2007.00.0019

Take a Different Look: French Sword

This image shows a French sword. It is displayed against a white background. The silver hilt of the sword is on the right side with the long blade pointing to the left of the image. The base of the sword is gold while the reset of the blade is silver.

Tags

Related Collections

See All Collection Highlights
This image shows a French gorget. It is gold with a silver crown symbol in the center. It is displayed against a white background.
 
Online Collection

French Gorget

This gorget, displaying the royal arms of the Bourbon kings of France, was a vestigial piece of armor worn by a French officer as a sign of rank.
See Object
This image shows a Sword and British Officers Saber.
 
Online Collection

British Officer's Saber

Made in London, this officer’s saber features a long, single-edged blade used for slashing.
See Object
This image shows a French Naval Cutlass against a white background. The hilt of the cutlass is gold and on the left hand side of the image.
 
Online Collection

French Naval Cutlass

American sailors aboard Continental Navy vessels and privateer ships often used French weapons, like this cutlass.
See Object