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.