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FRENCH INFANTRY GLADIUS Pattern 1831
Contributed by Jean B. (Belgium)
This short sword was issued to the Elite Companies and Corporal of the infantry regiments. It became obsolescent when the sword bayonet of the Chassepot rifle was issued in May 1868. It was considered by the soldiers more as a tool than as a usefull weapon and became soon knicknamed "gabbage chopper".
The pattern, with variations in dimensions and ornaments, remained in use in the French National Guard and the Fire Brigades until the end of the century.
This gadius was produced not only by the big French government's manufactures but also by private swordmakers under army contracts.
The short sword illustrated here was made by TALABOT Frere in Paris. The firm received the approval of the French army in 1832.
Dimensions: Total length: 635mm Blade length: 483mm Width at ricasso: 44mm Thickness at ricasso: 7.8mm
Remark: It is important to highlight that this gladius with rings handle was issued to the infantry and NOT to the artillery as it is often wrongly mentioned. The French foot artillery gladius pattern 1816 has an handle with scales similar to the US pattern. Actually the US pattern foot artillery gladius was a copy of the French foot artillery sword.
Maybe we can have further discussion on this pattern.
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