Lot 938
"The Nez Coupe' Swords", Two swords,' both of Western European origin, c. 1800, the first being a typical French cavalry sword, with a pierced and engraved hilt, leather wrapped handle, and a burnished blade, length 37in., the second sword being a typical N.C.O's cutlass brass hilt, with a curved blade, length 28.75in. (illustrated on page 168 E1000-1500 Provenance: Descended in the family of Louis "Nez Coupe"' Chighizola, trusted lieutenant of the pirate Jean Lafitte, eventually to Natali Benvenuto Chighizola, Jr. By family tradition, used by "Nez Coupe" at the Battle of New Orleans, January 8, 1815 Note: Louis Chighizola acquired the name "Nez Coupe"' because He had lost part of His nose, either in a duel (as Lyle Saxon writes), or in a battle at sea (as Jack Ramsey writes). Chighizola was one of the Barataria pirates who joined with Lafitte in agreement not to attack American shipping. He was also a beneficiary of the Presidential pardon of the Barataria pirates who participated in the Battle of New Orleans for their previous crimes of smuggling and piracy. Ref:: Lyle Saxon, Lafitte the Pirate, Granger, New Orleans, 1930; Jack C. Ramsey lean Lafitte, Prince of Pirates, Eakin Press, Austin, 1996
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