EL6742 - A very early 1845 pattern bladed Victorian light cavalry officer's sword by Hamburger. This must have been one of the first batch of new regulation 1845 pattern blades ordered from Hamburger, because it does not yet have the proof disc that everyone following Wilkinson quickly adopted, and the etching is as found on the earlier pipeback blades, with the retailer etched on the fuller rather than the ricasso, and the decorative etching in a rectangular panel halfway up the blade. The grip also has the shape of the earlier swords. I therefore date this to c.1845-1848. Together with this, it has been well service sharpened, and so is likely to have seen interesting action in one of the campaigns of the late 1840s or 1850s. The 35.5 inch blade is bright and clean, with very fine etching. The hilt is firm on the tang with no movement - the dark colour of the guard is old varnish and some patina, but it looks bright underneath and would clean up well. The hilt is also in good condition, and the sword is complete with original matching scabbard.
