1821 Patt British Light Cavalry Sabre, dated to 1821, VGC, Sold

In very good condition, an 1821P British light cavalry trooper's or officer's campaign sabre, datable to 1821.

The blade is etched with a Georgian style table etch block with the maker's name "Josh Barlow Maker Litchfield Warranted". Josh Barlow only made swords in 1821, so this is a very early, one of the first 1821P's and in very good condition. It bears no royal cypher, which may well be to the slow painful demise of King George III, or it maybe that the sword was sold to a British cavalry officer as a plain bladed campaign sword, or it maybe that this was a stock sword for Josh Barlow. In any event, it is a rarity to find this pattern of sword (with the ears to the grip / backpiece and pipe-back blade) in such very good condition.

The sabre has a "browned" (chemically browned) steel hilt and scabbard and a brown leather grip. This was certainly a very attractive sword for its time. The impressive 35 1/4 inch blade is in very good order, and firm in the hilt. The hilt with some signs of aging, but not too much, is very solid. The grip's outer surface is flaking a bit but overall is in very good shape. The steel scabbard has some light rust but is very solid and in good shape. The sabre sheathes and draws very well.

It is unlikely that you will find a better condition early version of this 1821 light cavalry pattern, so £xxx is a very good investment indeed. Please quote item reference H80 (1003). Further / full sized images available upon request.