This sabre is one of a few examples that have been found over the years. Although made in Chatellerault, it is not qui an official model, but most probably a wartime production for the Crimean War, made using parts of the 1854 and 1816 models.
This sabre is indeed equipped with an 1816 model blade, of dragoon lenght, but marked to February 1855, without a model’s designation. The hilt, on the other hand, is that of an 1854 heavy cavalry sabre. The Crimean War was a massive conflict which mobilized more than 300 000 French troops.
It is clearly not a recent hybrid, as the inscription on the back of the blade is not what you would find on an 1816, which were not produced anymore in 1855, and with matching poinçons to the year of manufacture, fitting those found on the hilt. The peen is also pristine, and done in the usual style found in Chatellerault.
This sabre was likely created to hastily supply the troops fighting in Crimea, and so it was made with newly made guards of the 1854, and by producing 1816 blades while waiting for the 1854 to be ready for production. This is, in a way, an early version of the 1854. The result is one of the most massive swords produced by the French military.
This sabre is in excellent overall shape, very solid with no movement whatsoever. Most of the wiring is missing, which could be replaced. The guard plate is bent, as is often seen on French cavalry blade, possibly to make them easier to carry, or afford more protection from a sliding blade.
The blade is also in excellent shape, and was service sharpened.
It comes with its original scabbard, which has a heavy, but uniform, patina.
A really unique piece of French warfare for the aficionado.
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