A Rare French Klingenthal Made "First French Royal Sword Factory" Model 1833 "Anchor Marked" Naval Cutlass in very good condition with very minor wear to the blade and scabbard. The French Model 1833 Naval Cutlass was a military sword adopted by the French Navy in 1833 for use by sailors, marines, and boarding parties. It was designed primarily as a practical close-combat weapon for naval warfare, where a compact and sturdy sword was preferable to a longer infantry-style weapon. The M1833 featured a broad, slightly curved, single-edged blade and a distinctive protective iron guard that enclosed much of the hand. The grip was typically made entirely of metal, giving the weapon a durable construction suitable for the harsh conditions aboard a sailing warship. Many examples bear an anchor marking associated with French naval service, while production markings and dates can often be found on the blade's spine. The cutlass was manufactured at French state arsenals, particularly the arsenal at Châtellerault. Examples are known from the late 1830s and subsequent decades. The weapon remained associated with French naval service during a period of major technological and tactical change, when traditional sailing warships were gradually being replaced by steam-powered vessels and naval artillery was becoming increasingly important. The French Model 1833 also had an important influence beyond France. Its general design was closely related to the American Model 1860 Navy Cutlass, which became one of the most recognizable edged weapons of the United States Navy during the American Civil War. Today, original Model 1833 naval cutlasses are collectible examples of 19th-century French military equipment and provide an interesting link between the traditional age of naval boarding weapons and the emergence of the modern steam-powered navy.