[ANCIENT WEAPONS - 1st EMPIRE]. Officer's composite sabre, Ottoman blade and mount signed "Boutet" Superb curved Ottoman blade, single-edged and counter-edged on the last quarter, of the "KILIJ" type, engraved and gilt on the first quarter. Inscriptions on the blade: "La fath ila Ali, la sayf ila Zulfikar" (transl. There is no hero but Ali, there is no sword but Zulfikar", a reference to Ali Ibn Abi Talib, nephew of the Prophet and 4th Caliph, and his sword Zulfikar, which was given to him by the Prophet) and the date "Year 1121 of the Hegira" (i.e. 1709 of the Gregorian calendar) on one side; on the other side, in a circular cartouche "mash Allah" ("praise Allah"). The blade was probably brought back to France after the Egyptian campaign and fitted with a bronze mounting signed "Boutet", with a hilt reminiscent of the shape of Ottoman sabres, with a guard branch and a lion-head pommel. Fluted brass scabbard, decorated with two trophies in medallions and "cobweb" motifs. 98cm long.