Excellent Napoleonic Era 1796 Pattern Officers Sabre by Thomas Gill

What we have here is a 1796 pattern officers sabre in very good condition.

The ricasso is marked “Gill is warranted”.

This sword was made during the British Napoleonic Wars, around 1798 by Thomas Gill of Birmingham.

Thomas Gill (1744-1801), was one of the foremost sword makers in the UK at the turn of the 18th Century. Based in Birmingham, Thomas was a vocal proponent of British made swords over those imported from Germany. He went to great lengths to prove that his blades were superior in every way to the flood of Solingen imports.

Thomas Gills testing regime was so rigorous that each blade that passed was etched with his name and famous guarantee.

The curved blade comes with a flat spine and broad single fuller on each side. The blade flares towards the tip and terminates in a hatchet point.

The design of the pommel is scarce with indicates a higher quality officers blade.

The wooden grip retains its leather wrap and the twisted silver wire is intact.

The sabre is complete with its steel scabbard.

~ Dimensions ~

The sword has a blade length of 32 ½ inches (83cm) and an overall length of 37 ¾ inches (96cm).

The item in its scabbard measures 38 ½ inches (98cm).

It weighs 2.06Kg.

~ Condition ~

The scabbard is in overall good condition with some age related marks and some oxidation.

The sword sheathes and draws smoothly and can be held firmly within the scabbard without rattle or play.

There is some minor discolouration and pitting to the guard but overall the item has aged well.

ref. GS0090626 / MLBBEO