"La Québécoise" (The Lady From Quebec)

The Fleur-De-Lis, a stylized lily (in French, fleur means "flower" and lis means "lily), has long been used on many European coats of arms but is particularly associated with French heraldry and the French monarchy.  The symbol was also carried to the New World by European settlers, again particularly the French, and is still seen today in areas of strong French colonial settlement.  In Canada,  the fleur-de-lis remains a symbol of cultural identity for many French-speaking people.  One of these areas is Quebec, which features it prominently on its flag.

This Classical Fencing foil guard was commissioned by a client who proudly retains that cultural identity and chose the design and name.  Often seen in white, the fleur-de-lis is displayed in blue on the flag of Quebec so the client chose to include both colors.  The guard is cut in stainless steel, with stainless steel rosette, and is backed with two layers of felt, heat-fused to leather.  As with others on this page, it is a one-of-a-kind item and will not be reproduced.

The client also chose to add a custom grip and pommel to complete his weapon.  The grip is made of dense Purple Heart wood and follows a design similar to one created by Benjamin Bowles of Benjamin Arms .  It features a slightly wider area at the rear to allow better control with the ring and little finger.  The grip is finished in wax-free shellac to reduce wear, prevent darkening and protect the wood against moisture.  The pommel is machined from solid brass and features a recessed collar that slides over the wood grip to prevent mushrooming or splitting when the pommel is tightened.