Hi Katana,
Thank you for the kind note!
This is indeed a British cavalry sabre made for native forces in India and dates from c.1880's to early 20th c. The sewn leather scabbard is typically found on these, and I know that J.Bourne & Co. produced sabres with almost identical scabbards. I have seen an example of one of these triple bar hilt sabres (cf. the M1829 light cavalry sabre) made by Mole and marked to the 21st cavalry (I believe Frontier Force).
Interestingly, the M1796 type blade remained popular in India until the 20th c.
and Bourne manufactured stirrup hilt sabres with the M1796 blade well into the 19th century.
Hi Spiral,
The mountain artillery sabres were actually more cutlass like, and were as you note often produced my Mole.
Very nice example of a British colonial sabre of c.1880 for native cavalry in India (for those with Wagner "Cut & Thrust Weapons" there is one shown but I do not have the page or plate number (books not handy at present).So if someone could reference I would appreciate it
All the best ,
Jim