The French saber lighter is the emblematic weapon of the French infantryman between the 18th and 19th centuries. This short saber lived through the Monarchy, the Republic and the Empire, taking part in numerous wars across Europe. Small, robust and mass-produced, it’s still easy to find today. Of all the existing models, the one we’re interested in is the AN XI.
The sabre lighter takes its name, sometimes mocked by the cavalry, from its small size. In the 17th century, the word “lighter” meant “knife” or “penknife”. The shape of the guard is also reminiscent of the lighters used by soldiers in the field to light a fire. Despite its diminutive size, let’s not underestimate the effectiveness of the lighter saber: thanks to its small size and sharp blade, it proves very useful in hand-to-hand combat and in confined spaces such as small rooms or staircases.
Soldiers also used it as a tool during bivouacs. Under the Empire, sleeping under the stars during campaigns was commonplace. The lighter was ideal for building a makeshift shelter, trimming stakes or cutting thin branches to make a fire. It also had an honorary function, serving as a distinction to equip elite units and officers. The AN XI model, also known as the Napoleonic lighter, is a modification of its predecessor, the AN IX. It now has just 28 flutes on the spindle, compared with 36 on the AN IX. The quillon, previously in the shape of a pyramidal button, now takes the form of a simple drop of water. Its weight has also been increased, from 1,200 kg to 1,350 kg. During the Empire, the yoke was modified with a higher trigger guard. Between the First Empire and the reign of Louis-Philippe, hundreds of thousands of AN XI model sabers were produced. It equipped the Grande Armée until 1831 for several conquests, before being produced exclusively for the Gardes Nationales. This AN XI model lighter saber will thus be the last infantry saber with a curved blade.