Waterloo French Heavy Cavalry Trooper's Sword,
Klingenthal, Sold |
In very good condition, a guaranteed authentic Klingenthal made
Napoleonic French An XIII cavalry trooper's sword, blade dated June
1815, clearly a Waterloo war trophy.
 

Again, we guarantee this is an authentic Napoleonic French heavy
cavalry sword (not one of the hundreds of reproductions sold as
authentic on auction and other sites). We are sure this is a Waterloo
battle trophy taken back to the UK because there are no post-1815
inspection marks and because it has survived as an An XIII (most
that stayed in French service were given new 1816 model hilts).
On the subject of hilts, the hilt on this sword is older than the
blade; it was given a new blade in June 1815 (year looks like 1811
but the last digit is a worn French cursive 5) because its original
blade was unserviceable, probably damaged in battle. We know this
from the crossed out original rack / weapon number on the hilt,
and the fact there is a newer second rack number. This was a common
event in Napoleonic France and explains why the grip is in such
good condition. Having probably seen service with the French Grande
Armee in Russia, this sword was refurbished at the famous Klingenthal
sword factory just in time for the 100 Days War (Waterloo). We know
it was at that famous battle because the tip has been converted
from its original clipped to a spear point.



The 37 1/2 inch blade is in very good condition and firm in the
hilt. The hilt / guard is in good condition, a slight aging (dulling)
of the brass (easily cleaned and shined if desired). The leather
grip and associated twisted grip wire bindings are in excellent
condition, as they were replaced by the French in 1815 and the sword
only saw minimal use. The Mk 3 heavy steel scabbard is very good,
some light pitting, but overall very good. The scabbard rack number
appears to be 760, different to the hilt number, which again indicates
a Waterloo battle trophy (rather than a post battle acquisition)
as many fallen drawn swords were simply paired with suitable scabbards
without matching the rack numbers up. These swords are lovely, as
you can only hold it and imagine what the trooper went through that
day at Waterloo, and his likely fate.
Lovely, find a better sword and a better example; we bet you can
not. Don't hang around, these swords do not normally stay up for
sale for long. Yours for £xxx (too late, now sold - we will
divulge the original sales price for a small fee). Please quote
item reference number AA16 (1406). Further / full sized images upon
request.






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