French An XIII Cuirassier / Heavy Cavalry Trooper's Sword, sold

A curious post-Waterloo French An XIII Cuirassier trooper's sword, dated 1816, in good condition.

Made in February 1816, this sword appears to have been bought back to the UK by one of the Duke of Wellington's soldiers involved in the Allied occupation of France from 1815 to 1818. This is because the sword has not been converted in anyway and there are no post-1816 markings. Most An XIII's were converted to the 1816M (different lipped hilt / guard but with the same blade). There is a slight bend in the blade, but not that bad and easily repaired. So how this An XIII survived / came to the UK, we can only guess.

With matching weapon numbers to the hilt / guard and scabbard, this is an original sword and scabbard. The 37 3/4 inch blade has been converted to spear point which, together with the hilt and scabbard weapon numbers confirm this sword was issued to a trooper in the French army. But clearly, he did not have it for long! Perhaps this was due to the eventual French reduction in army size, mandated by the Allies. Why this blade has not been remounted with an 1816M hilt / guard, and why the grip has not been converted to 18+ grip wire turns is beyond us. Clearly it was taken out of French service in 1816 or maybe 1817, but we can not understand why, as France was technically an ally of the Allies after Waterloo with the reinstatement of the French monarchy!

Blade with some rust around the forte but firm in hilt. The hilt with some wear / light damage / bending. The original leather grip is sound but has lost its grip wire (easily made if desired). The browned scabbard is in good condition, some light pitting but not too much. The sword sheathes and draws well.

We love these swords; grand design and deadly function like no other. Yours for £? (too late, now sold). Please quote item reference number AB93 (0151). Further / full sized images available upon request.