1796 Pattern Waterloo British Heavy Cavalry Trooper's Sword, sold

In good though very aged and battle damaged condition, a rare 1796P British heavy cavalry trooper's sword and scabbard, spear pointed blade.

There can be little doubt that this sword was at Waterloo because it has been converted to spear point (originally it would have had a hatchet point). There is no doubt either that this sword has been used extensively in battle, there are period nicks along much of the forward cutting edge of the blade, and the point section is "wobbled" (bent); it hit something or rather someone full on. As such battle damage would have retired the sword, this can only mean the damage or most of it, had to have happened at Waterloo. What makes this sword really interesting, is its age; it has an earlier crown acceptance mark and Woolley & Deakin maker's mark, so the sword quite likely also saw service in the Peninsular War.

The guard / knucklebow has the remains of a troop and weapon / trooper number; the later is "87". Although rust has obscured what was once there, there likely would be no regimental designation, as such things were uncommon at that time (beware swords marked to specific regiments). So, all we can be sure of, that it was weapon / trooper number 87 (virtually impossible for us to photo, sorry).

The 33 1/2 inch blade is in sound condition, though with battle damage as previously stated. The spear point is interesting, as it is much more / better formed than most. The blade is firm in the hilt. The steel hilt is well pitted all over but is still sound and strong. The disc guard is complete and the langets still present, which show the sword was not used after Waterloo, as the discs were cut down one side to prevent fraying a trooper's tunic, and the langets were removed to stop the sword from catching when sheathing or drawing. You can see the sword was worn in active service because the disc guard is worn and slightly bent down one side, where it has rubbed and rubbed against a trooper.

The blackened ribbed wood grip has a little of the original leather covering present. The scabbard is well rusted and pitted; the suspension rings maybe a later replacement, the brass solder used when making the scabbard is showing through in places. There are dents and dings towards the shoe / drag, which again show active use. The sword sheathes and draws OK enough, loosely now of course. But still, had this sword not been damaged at Waterloo and retired / decommissioned shortly after, it would probably be in an even worse condition now, army / government owned weapons enduring long and harsh service lives. The rust has been oil treated and stabilized, the former surface rust removed.

We can not guarantee this sword was in any particular battle, of course, but the battle damage is period, and combined with all the other points regarding this sword, we are 99% sure it was at Waterloo. Our price of £x (too late, now sold - original sales price divulged for small fee) is what you should expect to pay for a sword like this that was not at Waterloo, so the probability it was is a huge bonus. Please quote item reference I85 (1087). Further / full sized images available upon request.