Hi David,

Thank you for contacting Mearto with your appraisal inquiry.

This is a small sword (or épée de cour), a light, elegant thrusting weapon used mainly in the 18th and early 19th centuries for civilian dress, dueling, and ceremonial purposes. The ornate, likely gilt or bronze guard with a knuckle bow and shell-type side guard is typical of court swords worn with formal attire while the wire-wrapped grip was also common in quality swords of the period. With a straight, narrow blade, this was designed for thrusting, not slashing — consistent with post-17th-century European small swords. Its overall style matches late 1700s–early 1800s French ceremonial weapons rather than battlefield sabers.

The photos of the inscription and symbols are too blurry to make them out correctly but taking your word for the inscription "gadu corp. de. ms. le. comte d'artois", it breaks down like this:
GADU is likely an abbreviation for Grand Architecte De L’Univers (“Grand Architect of the Universe”), a Masonic reference to God or a supreme being.
CORP. DE. MS. is an abbreviation for Corps de Musique or Corps de Monsieur depending on context. In military and ceremonial contexts, Corps de Musique would mean “music corps” (military band unit).
LE COMTE D'ARTOIS refers to “The Count of Artois,” a French noble title. Historically, this referred to Charles-Philippe of France (1757–1836), the younger brother of King Louis XVI and future King Charles X.

While this seems to be in reasonably good condition, the fact it lacks both a scabbard and any history will keep its value low on the auction market. Based on comparable short French court swords that have come to auction recently, this has a fair market value of $1,000-1,500.

Based on the photos and information provided, and subject to examination, this is:

An antique fraternal épée de cour
French, late 19th Century
With ball-form pommel, curved knuckle guard, wrapped grip and pierced cross-guard, the tapered ridged straight blade inscribed "gadu corp. de. ms. le. comte d'artois" and other indistinct symbols. Lacking scabbard
39 inches overall length
CONDITION: This is reported to be in good condition with minor wear; lacking a scabbard.
PROVENANCE: Unknown
$ 1,000-1,500*
*represents a fair-market value for auction purposes; retail or asking price may vary.

Please let us know if you have additional items to appraise, or questions/concerns, and thank you again for using Mearto.
~ Delia