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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.

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