Scots Greys sword discovery

[Ian Knight]

I recently blind bid on a rather rusty British P1796 heavy cavalry sword at auction in the U.K. The auctioneer sent me the photos which I had requested. One of the photos of the hilt grabbed my attention. I thought that I could just make out '2d Ds' (Scots Greys) inscribed on the hilt. I took a punt and left a commission bid not thinking for a moment that I would win the sword, but win it I did.
The sword was in a pretty rusty condition when I eventually saw it 'in the flesh' but the markings were exactly as I had hoped for, and what was more the scabbard was marked in exactly the same manner. Sword and scabbard were a matching pair.
I went to work cleaning the sword and scabbard and ended up with the result that you see below.

Ian