As for the sabre-briquet, “in 1767 the fusilier’s épée was abolished, and the infantry sidearm was standardised as a short, flat-bladed and slightly curved sabre-briquet (meaning ‘lighter sabre’) with a simple and straight stirrup hilt [“D” guard].  This sabre-briquet was not a completely new sword, as it had previously been in use with foreign troops in French service, but was now more widely issued.”

• Henry Yallop, Royal Armouries

Around 1800 the guard was changed and over the next few years saw two further modifications. While initially carried by the French, this style can also be found in Spain, Germany and Russia (perhaps other countries as well) as large numbers of them were captured and also copied after the Napoleonic War.