Waterloo French 2nd Cuirassier Trumpeters Sword, Sold

In good condition, an An XIII Waterloo French 2nd Cuirassier Trumpeters Sword with chemically blackened scabbard.

Marked "AP" ("Atelier de precision") with a licteur, AP swords are associated with the 2nd Cuirassier Regiment which saw service at Waterloo. This one, with matching serial numbers proving the scabbard is original to the sword, the scabbard has been chemically blackened (now mostly "cleaned" off); normally An XIII scabbards are chemically browned. Research shows that the trumpeters of the 2nd Cuirassier Regiment had black scabbards.

The 37 7/8 inch spear point blade is in good condition and firm in the hilt. The brass hilt is good, stamped to Versailles, the C under star Versailles poinçon dating the sword from July to December 1813. The grip is in very good condition, original leather still good, but the twisted grip wire bindings are gone (fairly easy to make a replacement). The steel scabbard, pitting towards chape / drag, is in good order and has the remains of chemical blackening (it is not paint). The sword sheathes and draws well. It is a Waterloo battle trophy a) because we bought it in the UK, b) there are no post 1815 markings (poinçons), c) the grip has few turns (later replacement grips had more turns), d) the hilt / guard has not been replaced with the 1816 model version, and e) the blade has been spear pointed (blades for all of these swords were made hatchet point but were converted to spear point for better penetration just before Waterloo.

You are really unlikely to find another like this one. Yours for £? (too late, now sold). Please quote item reference R84 (0580). Further / full sized images available upon request.

Napoleonic French Cuirassier Trumpeters fueled the charge from within the second charge line (behind the standard bearer who was in the first line) and would release their trumpets to draw their swords (they carried the same weapon as regular troopers) as they approached the enemy. Trumpeters along with standard bearers and officers were favorite / priority targets for the enemy.

The An XI / XIII is, for us, the most effective and stylish heavy cavalry sword ever made. It is also afflicted with much false conjecture stated as fact, and is also one of the most faked / reproduced swords on the market (we 100% guarantee our swords are not reproductions / fakes). We have written an article on the subject here.