French An XI Light Cavalry Trooper's Sabre, British capture, sold

In very good condition, a Napoleonic Wars French An XI light cavalry trooper's sabre, dated August 1813, with British capture markings.

The blade has subsequent additional non-French markings to the blade "D 53"; the font and style is 100% English. Clearly, the weapon was captured from the French as the French would never so mark their sabres. Most likely a capture from the earlier Peninsular War (rather than the 100 Days War which culminated in the Battle of Waterloo), as we have not seen Waterloo capture swords marked this way, which implies the weapon was captured for regimental reference / training (the markings show that it was taken into a British regiment's armory). Although it could be a Portuguese or possibly Spanish capture (from the French) the font and format is typically English, not anyone else's. The D 53 are certainly not Dutch / Belgian / Russian / Prussian markings, so, again, we suspect this was most likely a Peninsular War capture by a British regiment, rather than an individual officer or soldier.

The French poinçons are 100% correct for the date inscription (August 1813), so the sword was in Imperial French use for sure. The 34 3/4 Inch blade is in good condition with very little damage to the cutting edge, and is firm in the hilt. The hilt / guard and grip (complete with original brass "olives") are all good, the leather a little aged and worn as you should expect. There is an additional post-French stamp to just under the pommel, "852", again in the typical British font / style. The D 53 (troop D, trooper / weapon 53) mark implying it was actually issued to a British trooper for presumably practice purposes. The very heavy steel scabbard has been over-painted black (it looks period, so we have left it as is); the throat piece is missing and there are a couple of small chinks / kinks but otherwise the scabbard is in very good shape. The sabre sheathes and draws well, but is tight when fully sheathed.

You will not find another with this kind of unique history and in such condition for any price, let alone our price of only £xxxx (too late, now sold - we will divulge the origibnal sales price for a small fee if required). Please quote item reference O80 (1394). Further / full sized images available upon request.