EL6766 - An attractive and enigmatic Napoleonic era officer's sabre. In form, the hilt complies approximately to the 1796 light cavalry pattern (for officers), while the 31 inch blade is more similar to the earlier 1788 pattern light cavalry sabre. The decorative engraving on the blade almost certainly indicates manufacture in Solingen, Germany. The grip is leather over wood, with many turns of wire, which give it more of the look of Continental sabre grips than British. There are no monarch's cyphers anywhere to be seen. Both the hilt and blade show the remnants of gilding, so this was an expensive sword originally. Therefore there are many open questions about this sword - whether it is British or Continental (perhaps German or Dutch?), and whether it was for a cavalry, infantry or artillery officer. In any case, it is a very attractive sword, which feels good in the hand. It is in good condition overall, with a little but of movement in the hilt, and some of the grip wires are a bit loose, but otherwise all quite solid.
