French "Garde Nationale Cheval" (Mounted National Guard) Officer's Saber. Believed to date from the French Revolution, Napoleonic era.
Brass hilt with D-type guard, two side branches; dark shagreen grip wrapped in twisted brass wire (shows considerable wear).
Blade is ~32-1/2" and upper ~10" is blued with trophies in gold wash. Obverse side of blade is etched (barely legible), "Garde Nationale a Cheval" (Mounted National Guard) and reverse side is etched, "...ber le Ordre Public" (... Public Order). It is very clear this was for the Revolutionary Mounted National Guard with the intent and purpose being for maintaining control and and orderly public. The French National Guard later became the Imperial Guard of Napoleon. Overall length out of scabbard is ~37-3/4"; overall length in scabbard is ~39-3/4".
Scabbard body is sheet-rolled steel with brass throat and hanger ringlets (two).