Officers sword pattern 1796 for Light Cavalry?

daggpil · 18th December 2020, 01:12 PM

Hello,

I am curious about this sword and I assume it is an officers sword? The blade is plain without any fuller and the grip has a "beak".

My main focus are Swedish weapons so most of my knowledge lies in that area so what can be told about this specimen?

Best regards/Ulrik Sjöberg, Sweden

fernando · 18th December 2020, 02:24 PM

And the pictures, Ulrik ?

.

daggpil · 18th December 2020, 02:41 PM

Sorry, now the pictures are uploaded!

Dmitry · 18th December 2020, 03:04 PM

You are right about the appearance of it, with blade in the scabbard it's a 1796 pattern light cavalry saber. The blade itself is another story- it appears to be a custom job. I would be curious if etching one spot reveals the Damascus pattern. Could be a sword bladed for an officer serving in India.

Jim McDougall · 18th December 2020, 05:02 PM

Very nice example (especially so to see the hanging straps still on the scabbard rings) and most definitely an officers M1796 from early 19th c.
I have one of these not often seen sabers which I acquired in London in the 70s, and is not nearly in as nice condition.

The 'stepped' back has always suggested Indian influence (this feature often seen on Indian tulwars of latter 18th c.) so I have been inclined to think of these as being for East India Co. officers.
East India company officers were supplied by certain outfitters usually in London and the blades were typically from Solingen.

The 10th Hussars had unique sabers which were in a small number ordered in 1810, and these blades, Solingen blade which had the distinct 'step'.

Wilkinson (1967, "Swords and Daggers") had one of these shown and noted the curious 'beak' . Pic attached.

While the 1796 patterns for officers had of course basic similarity to troopers sabers, the quality, variation and profoundly the fish skin grips were indicators.

fernando · 18th December 2020, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

...Very nice example Dmitry...

Dmitry ?

18th December 2020, 01:12 PM	#1
daggpil Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Posts: 25	Officers sword pattern 1796 for Light Cavalry? Hello, I am curious about this sword and I assume it is an officers sword? The blade is plain without any fuller and the grip has a "beak". My main focus are Swedish weapons so most of my knowledge lies in that area so what can be told about this specimen? Best regards/Ulrik Sjöberg, Sweden Attached Images Last edited by daggpil; 18th December 2020 at 02:39 PM.

18th December 2020, 05:02 PM	#5
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,940	Very nice example (especially so to see the hanging straps still on the scabbard rings) and most definitely an officers M1796 from early 19th c. I have one of these not often seen sabers which I acquired in London in the 70s, and is not nearly in as nice condition. The 'stepped' back has always suggested Indian influence (this feature often seen on Indian tulwars of latter 18th c.) so I have been inclined to think of these as being for East India Co. officers. East India company officers were supplied by certain outfitters usually in London and the blades were typically from Solingen. The 10th Hussars had unique sabers which were in a small number ordered in 1810, and these blades, Solingen blade which had the distinct 'step'. Wilkinson (1967, "Swords and Daggers") had one of these shown and noted the curious 'beak' . Pic attached. While the 1796 patterns for officers had of course basic similarity to troopers sabers, the quality, variation and profoundly the fish skin grips were indicators. Attached Images Last edited by Jim McDougall; 18th December 2020 at 06:23 PM.

18th December 2020, 02:24 PM	#2
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	And the pictures, Ulrik ? .

18th December 2020, 02:41 PM	#3
daggpil Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Posts: 25	Sorry, now the pictures are uploaded!

18th December 2020, 03:04 PM	#4
Dmitry Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 607	You are right about the appearance of it, with blade in the scabbard it's a 1796 pattern light cavalry saber. The blade itself is another story- it appears to be a custom job. I would be curious if etching one spot reveals the Damascus pattern. Could be a sword bladed for an officer serving in India.