What we have here is a 1796 pattern light cavalry sabre in really good condition.
This sword was made by John Gill’s, a Birmingham sword smith who came from a family of weapons makers. It seems there were a few John Gill’s but to pinpoint it this appears this is John Gill, the son of Thomas Gill, the brother of Thomas Gill, father of Harry and husband to Elizabeth, who carried on the business after his death.
There is another sword by John Gill currently in the Antiques Storehouse, an officer’s variant. This is the same sword pattern made by the same sword smith but for a trooper from the Light Cavalry.
The 1796 was a design approved for light cavalry use by Le Marchant. It was a curved blade with a thick ricasso leading to a very sharp hatchet point, Le Marchant spent time serving alongside Austrian cavalry and took great influence from their swordsmanship and sword design as well as the obvious eastern influence of the curved blade.
The guard is the simple stirrup knuckle bow in steel. The officers stirrup guards were brass.
This trooper’s sword has been service sharpened and has some edge damage presumably from use. Otherwise it is in brilliant condition for its age.
The sword is marked ‘JOHN GILL WARRANTED’.
This sword comes without a scabbard.
~ Dimensions ~
The total length is 37 ½ inches (94 cm) long.
The blade is 32 ½ inches (82 cm) long.
The sword weighs 815g.
~ Condition ~
This sword is in good condition, this sword shows signs of being service sharpened and has some edge damage.
Aside from the damage the blade has been preserved very well with only some flecks of blackening and and some discolouration and wear near the guard.
There is also some minor discolouration and pitting to the guard and backstrap.
ref. GS7019BF0 / MLEGEX32DFE43DE12
