I recently inherited a European Infantry Hanger (French Briquet) from my grandpa. He found the sword as a child while playing in his backyard outside St. Paul Minnesota. Literally pulled it out of the dirt. Crazy.
This was a common sword so i'm wondering if anyone could help determine anything more specific about it. Origin, Age, Etc.
Here's what I know:
28 rib
23 1/4 blade ... 28 1/2 overall (i imagine the tip used to protrude farther)
"N. 863." or "N.(^o) 863.(^o)" or possibly the "o"s are faded proof stamps marked on the hilt
A mark on the back of the hilt is an X with one side closed into a diamond shape
Faded Letters on the blade. One row of letters larger than the other: R. F. "_" T. and I. A. "_" D.
Chime in. What does anyone make of this?
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