French 'gladus' style gunners sidearm c1840s, with heavy brass ribbed hilt and unusual officers private purchase damascus double-edged blade with makers name of COULAUX&C to throat. The brass mounted patent leather scabbard with makers stamp to throat with further stamps to bottom mount and with matching numbers to both the top mount and crossguard of hilt (No 365). This type of weapon was said to have been designed and used to reasonable effect when defending the artillery emplacements under attack from jumping the guns by opposing cavalry, the defenders employing an upward thrust or by slashing at the horses' legs and flanks, with obvious results! Overall length 65.5cms