Original Napoleonic, English, 1796 Pattern Light Cavalry Trooper’s Sabre & Scabbard with Regimental Markings

*Original, Napoleonic, English, 1796 Pattern Light Cavalry Trooper’s Sabre & Scabbard with Regimental Markings*

Original, Napoleonic, English, 1796 pattern light cavalry trooper’s sabre and scabbard. The blade spine carries the letters 831 and obscured proof marks. The iron ears are marked 9.T.P.4.72. It has a 32 inch blade (83 to 84 cm) and a single broad fuller on each side. The hilt is a simple ‘stirrup’ form with a single iron knucklebow and quillon, the iron backpiece of the grip has ears riveted through the tang of the blade to give the hilt and blade a very secure connection. The grip is of ridged wood covered in leather. It comes with the correct iron scabbard with matching regimental markings.

The Pattern 1796 light cavalry sabre is a sword that was used primarily by British light dragoons and hussars, and King’s German Legion light cavalry during the Napoleonic Wars. It was adopted by the Prussians (as the 1811 pattern or “Blücher sabre”) and used by Portuguese and Spanish cavalry. The 1796 sabre had a pronounced curve, making the kind of slashing attacks used in cavalry actions decidedly easier. Even cavalrymen trained to use the thrust, as the French were, in the confusion of a melee often reverted to instinctive hacking, which the 1796 accommodated. Its blade, unlike other European sabres of the period, widened near the point. This affected balance, but made slashes far more brutal; its action in the cut has been compared to a modern bacon slicer. The sabre was lighter and easier to use than its heavy cavalry counterpart, the pattern 1796 Heavy Cavalry Sword, which had a less ‘scientific’ design. The sabre was intended to be usable by all cavalrymen, not solely the largest and strongest.

*Condition*

This 1796 is in good condition commensurate with its age. The blade has some rust, pitting and minor chips to the blade. The original leather grip is in amazingly good condition given its age and likely service. Please see photographs as part of the condition report. The sword sheathes and draws very well.

RQMGEOXAAOO_3549120751