The weapons in this glass case were once the personal property of August the Strong. Apart from the pistols, all these items were moved from the Royal Wardrobe to the Armoury after his death.
One sword has a sword knot consisting of a golden band with a tassel looped around its grip. August the Strong had this one specially forged for the magnificent parade of his troops at the Zeithain Encampment in 1730. After the end of the Great Northern War, the king had put a lot of effort into upgrading his army’s weaponry and equipment. In 1730, August organised a grand military review in front of an audience of European princes, to show off the fighting strength and prowess of his army in manoeuvres – with magnificent celebrations to follow.
The infantry sword in the centre has a richly decorated blade in imitation of damascened steel. It bears the monogram F-A-R beneath a crown. The letters stand for Fridericus Augustus Rex, which combines the electoral name -- Friedrich August -- with the royal name, August the Second. As with the cavalry sword in glass case number 9, the decoration on the blade includes two maxims in Latin and French respectively.
The suede leather sword belt with gold embroidery is from a military state coat that belonged to August the Strong. Sword hangers like the one on display, were worn around the waist. Alternately, a sword could be fastened to a broad belt or baldric across one shoulder. A youthful August brought the pair of pistols, decorated with fine gold and silver inlay, back with him from his Grand Tour of Europe. He’d acquired them in Paris. These are the earliest French flintlock pistols kept in the Armoury. According to the inventory, the sovereign supposedly "bore them himself".
Further Media
- Material & Technique
- Iron barrel, blued and gold damascened; bare iron lock, cut and engraved; walnut wood shaft with silver wire inlay; silver mounting, cast, engraved; wood, silver rammer.
- Museum
- Rüstkammer
- Location & Dating
- Paris. Between 1646 and 1649
- Inventory number
- J 0665