The sabre models discussed in this article are several officers’ sabres used by higher-ranking officers during the Batavian period and which were probably carried throughout the French period.

In a series of short articles, I intend to present several examples of sabres used during the Batavian Republic (Commonwealth), the Kingdom of Holland and, more generally, the period of French rule. It is not my intention to burden the reader with excessive detail, nor to provoke a discussion as to precisely which French-influenced sabres were or were not used in the Netherlands during this turbulent period. Without direct evidence, this is often difficult to establish.

The sabre examined in this article is an example used by an officer of the Batavian Hussars, or possibly the Light Dragoons.   Returning to the sabre Sabres of this type are briefly mentioned in Jan Piet Puype’s book (2), and also in Armamentaria No. 23, published by the Dutch Army Museum, on page 83. The present sabre corresponds closely …

Some of the most interesting discoveries in the world of antiques do not happen in museums or at major international auctions. Occasionally, they are found much closer to home.