In good overall condition, a Klingenthal French Waterloo An XIII Heavy Cavalry Trooper’s Sword & Scabbard.
Sorry, this item has been sold (NB: we do not divulge sold prices). However, we have a search facility to help you find more similar items. Plus a feature that allows you to enter your email and keywords (for what you are looking for) to be notified by email when anything comes in. Or you can simply browse the various categories. See the left hand navigation column.
Correctly marked “Mfure Impale du Klingenthal Coulaux frères” to the blade’s spine (see Klingenthal sword history) with correct poinçons on the blade’s forte for Marion and Bick (see Manufacture d’Etat), this sword was made in 1810 to 1811. The single rack number (111, plus a further miss struck 1 at the end) to the guard means the sword is totally original (it has not had a replacement hilt or blade). The scabbard has the same rack number, so the sword and scabbard were unlikely picked up off the battlefield (as these tend to have differing rack numbers as the swords tended to be dropped and married up by the allies later), but was more likely a surrender item (directly after the battle). We know it was at Waterloo and did not stay in French service because it had its hatchet pointed blade converted to spear point, has no post 1815 poinçons, has not been given an 1816 model hilt / guard and the grip is original pre-1816 (they increased the number of grip binding turns after 1815) yet has lost its grip wire (as happened frequently) so it would have been.
What is nice is that the cuirassier that carried this sword was likely the same one throughout its service life and would have been very experienced indeed. There are some strike letter type marks on one side of the blade that may be British capture marks; we have never seen the like before (they may just be battle scars).
The 37 5/8 inch quality steel blade is in good condition (one side very good, the other with some light pitting) and firm in the hilt. The heavy brass hilt / guard with age / wear / tarnish is nonetheless good. The original leather grip with some wear and shrinkage is good but has lost its grip wire bindings. The period chemically browned heavy steel scabbard is good but has some wear and light rust patches. The sword sheathes and draws well.
Lovely! An older circa 1810 sword that was in use in 1815, probably with the same cavalry trooper. Hold it and feel its history; it will tell its story. Just was £? (too late, now sold). Please quote item reference Z50. Further / full sized images available upon request. Box 1573 golf (2.923).
