Rare Waterloo French Clipped Point Cuirassier Trooper's Sword, Sold

In very good condition, a rare original clipped point Napoleonic French An XIII Cuirassier trooper's sword with Mark 3 scabbard, so 99% a Waterloo battle trophy.

First, this is a 100% authentic An XIII, 99% certain a Waterloo battle trophy as a) there are no post 1815 (Waterloo) inspection marks and b) it comes in a superb browned Mk3 scabbard, actually known as a 1816M scabbard, but introduced in 1814 (see article here).

The blade is correctly maker and date inscribed "Imperial Klingenthal October 1810" to the spine, and with the correct and corresponding poinçons (inspection marks) for Claude Marion, Jean-Georges Bick and Francois Louis Lobstein. The hilt / guard has the Versailles mark plus a single, unstruck weapon number, 700; the fact it is not struck out with another number replacing it indicates the weapon stayed with the same trooper, or at least the same regiment for several years and therefore likely saw service in several battles, including the invasion into and retreat from Russia, and perhaps also the Peninsular War. The scabbard is marked "4 1 0" which, without corrections to the hilt, means the sword and the scabbard are a subsequent marriage. This likely means the sword was a Waterloo battlefield pick up, rather than a surrendered weapon, which was then married by the British victors with a suitable / corresponding scabbard, but from another French trooper / horse.

Prior to Waterloo, the French ordered that An XIII heavy cavalry swords should have the points ground / converted to spear point, as this made the weapon much more effective when thrusting, which is what it was designed for (with a straight blade). Most, perhaps 95% of An XIII's at the battle were converted to spear point, but some were not; this is one of those rare unmodified swords. As an original clipped point version, this sword is much rarer and much more highly prized, especially as the facts say it was also a Battle of Waterloo pick up.

The full length 38 1/4 Inch (97 cm) blade is in very good condition and firm in the hilt. The brass hilt / guard also very good but with one small crack / partial break to one of the bars (the bar is still sound). The original leather grip which has not been subsequently treated / nourished is in very good order and great as you probably come into contact with some 200 year old French trooper's sweat (most grips have been given some treatment or another over the years, we do not think this one has and therefore have not applied any leather balsam). The twisted grip wire biding are complete and good. The lovely Mk3 browned scabbard is in very good shape, some rust patches, not much. The sword sheathes and draws well.

As good as they get. Imperial Kligenthal clipped point blade. Versailles hilt / guard. Browned scabbard. Waterloo provenance. About as evocative as good an investment as you can make; this sword will only appreciate; our price is £? (too late, now sold). Please quote item reference AB19 (0086). Further / full sized images available upon request.