Waterloo Trophy, French An XIII Cuirassier Sword, Klingenthal, Sold

In very good condition, a guaranteed authentic French Cuirassier Sword, Klingenthal, dated January 1814; a Waterloo war trophy.

First, we guarantee this is an authentic Napoleonic French Cuirassier sword made in January 1814 at Klingenthal (the primary Napoleonic French sword manufacturing factory). It is not a reproduction (even so called experts get fooled by repros, but we do not; we have more experience of these swords than anyone else in the market).

Check for yourself, the poinçons are 100% correct for the date inscription on the blade's spine, January 1814. The date inscription is a little rubbed / feint, but the maker's name "Klingenthal" can just be seen, and the date is very clear.

Second, the sword is clearly a Waterloo battle trophy bought back by a British serviceman, as a) we bought the sword in the UK covered in Victorian varnish (the Victorians did this to prevent rust / corrosion), b) the sword has no post 1815 inspection marks (poinçons) as it would have had it stayed in French service; in fact most An XIII blades still in service with the French after Waterloo were rehilited into the new 1816 model guard, c) it has a spear pointed blade (the French did this just before Waterloo to most of their heavy cavalry swords, converting them from their original, less effective hatchet point format).

What is also nice, is that the rack / serial number on the hilt and on the scabbard match; most swords have mismatched scabbard rack numbers.

The 37 1/2 inch blade is in very good condition and firm in the hilt. The hilt / guard is in good condition, as are the original leather covered grip and twisted grip wires. The heavy steel scabbard is nice as it retains a good amount of its original browning (please note: this is the chemical browning the French did, it is not rust patina, though some patina may exist over the browning). The sword sheathes and draws well.

A well above average example of this deadly iconic sword. Be quick, these sell fast! Yours for £xxxx (too late, now sold - original sales price divulged for small fee). Please quote item reference number AA48 (0041). Further / full sized images upon request.