Bidspirit auction | A Pair of French 19th

A Pair of French 19th Century Fencing Foils by Coulaux and Cie, Klingenthal - This lot consists of two antique French fencing practice foils produced by the Coulaux and Cie factory in Klingenthal, France. One foil features a circular steel bell guard with a grip wrapped in twisted brass and steel wire over a textured base, terminating in a conical steel pommel. The second foil is equipped with a steel figure-eight style lunette guard and a dark wire-wrapped grip finished with a rounded steel pommel. Both foils have slender, square-section steel blades with flared, blunted tips for safety during training. The ricasso of each blade is stamped with Klingenthal on one side and Coulaux and Cie on the reverse. Additional markings include a crown over a letter, a stylized flower symbol, and size numerals 4 and 5 stamped near the guards. Overall length: 41 - 41.5 inches. Both items are in as-found condition with significant signs of age and use. There is heavy surface oxidation, rust, and pitting across the blades, guards, and pommels. The wire wrap on the foil with the figure-eight guard is loose and partially unraveled in several sections. The blades remain relatively straight.