Waterloo French An XIII Cuirassier Trooper's Sword, Sold

In very good condition, a guaranteed authentic Battle of Waterloo Klingenthal / Versailles French An XIII Cuirassier Trooper's Sword.

This sword is 100% authentic. See our article on these swords and how to spot the many, many fakes / reproductions on the market.

One of the best condition An XIII Cuirassier swords we have handled. Marked "Manfre Rle du Klingenthal Jullet 1814" for July 1814 to the blade spine, it states "Rle" (Royale) not "Impale" (Imperial) because Napoleon was exiled to the Elba (an island) at that time before escaping to become Emperor again to then fight the Allies at Waterloo. The poinçons to the blade confirm the date.

We know this sword is a Waterloo battlefield pick up / trophy because a) the blade has been spear pointed, b) that the scabbard rack number does not match the hilt rack number (so the sword was dropped, as so many were when the French cuirassiers were pushed back to fall over a ridge, and then married up with another battlefield scabbard later), c) there are no post-1815 poinçons, which there would be if it had stayed in French service.

The 37 5/8 inch blade is in very good condition, a little curvature / wriggle (not much / hardly noticeable / not enough for me to show in a photo) from battle, and firm in the hilt. The hilt with Versailles stamps / poinçons including for inspectors / directors Nicolas Noel Boutet and J.B. Le Febvre, plus "V" marks for "Verifie" (verified). Some slight wear damage (slight bending / warping) of the inner lip, but this is exactly what you should expect to find on a sword worn into battle. The original leather grip is superb; most grips have deteriorated, often badly, while this one is as nearly new! Also, huge bonus, the original twisted grip wire is present and correct. The "browned" (period chemically browned by the French) is in very good condition, some wear / very light inert rust to one edge near the chape, hardly noticeable. The sword sheathes and draws like a dream.

An exceptionally good condition authentic Waterloo French heavy cavalry sword and scabbard. A great buy at £? (too late, now sold) . Please quote item reference AE20 (0689). Further / full sized images available upon request.