French An XIII Cuirassier's Heavy Cavalry Sword Versailles Hilt (sold)

Blade dated 1810, a Waterloo / 100 Days War trophy, in good and well used order (the sword has all the signs of being drawn and sheathed many times).

The Klingenthal blade dated September 1810, you can see the scabbard runner wear marks on both sides of this very fine blade near the ricasso; this means the sword has been drawn and sheathed many times. It has scant few inspection marks to the hilt, so I believe this sword stayed with the same Imperial French heavy cavalry trooper for some years. With the scabbard wear marks to the blade, this very much raises the likelihood this sword was carried by the same man in many battle charges. I suspect the sword saw action against the Russians as well as the British, Prussians and other allies. It may well have seen action in the Peninsular War as well. The spear point blade and lack of any post-1815 inspection marks (poinçons) and the fact I bought it in England from an estate sale basically guarantees that this sword is a Waterloo / 100 Days War trophy.

The scabbard wear has obliterated some of the original blade inspection / acceptance marks (poinçons), though the markings for Marion, Bock and Bisch (see: Manufacture d'Etat) are correct for blades marked Klingenthal September 1810. The inside of the hilt also has the Versailles stamp to make this sword even more desirable to collectors.

The sword has some very big plus points, not least the scabbard draw wear. The sword clearly was hung over a fireplace for many years. I say this because of the grip leather and the fact the hilt tarnish came off relatively easily when I cleaned it. The grip leather clearly had dried out and some, then someone restored it as best as I suspect can be done. The grip retains I think about 50% of the original leather grip; the rest is mastic formed to compliment the leather and its condition. It has been sympathetically done and the leather has been preserved well. What is also very good is that the original twisted grip wire bindings are complete and sound. The grip is fairly sound and will stand some handling but it is not for those who want to wield the sword. The grip could be replaced; I have had this done before myself for around 100 Euros but personally I think that would be desecration; I would personally keep the grip as is and be happy to connect with the original French cavalryman via the 50% or so original leather.

The lovely 37 1/2 inch blade is firm in the hilt. I have cleaned the hilt to leave some aging to compliment the rest of the sword and scabbard; it would clean up to near new if desired (if someone say replaced the grip, they might consider this). The sword sheathes and draws very well in the steel scabbard which has some light pitting overall but is very sound / above average condition. Further / full sized images upon request. My item reference number is 852 - (347).