In superb condition, an authentic Waterloo Imperial French Cuirassier Trooper’s Sword & Scabbard
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OMG, the grip is original and the best we have ever seen. The sword (blade and hilt / guard) were made in December 1812 (so this sword has seen some pre-Waterloo action, maybe in the French invasion of Russia, likely in the Peninsular War), but the grip is so good, it must have been replaced just before Waterloo (the original grip having been worn out!).
We can tell the hilt / guard is original to the blade (dated December 1812, correct poinçons), because of the crossed out original rack number 202 having been replaced with 916 after the grip was replaced.
We know the sword is a Battle of Waterloo war trophy because a) the blade has been spear pointed (all French straight heavy cavalry were made with hatchet points, which were field ground down to spear points just before Waterloo) and has been in the UK for time immemorial, b) the scabbard rack number is not the same, so the sword was dropped in battle and later married up with another scabbard (the French would not have let them be), c) the guard / hilt has not been replaced with the 1816m hilt (has forward facing rim edge), d) the grip has the correct number of turns (12) for 1815; after Waterloo, it went up to 16+, e) there are no post-Waterloo poinçons.
The almighty 37 3/4 inch blade is in very good condition and firm in the hilt. The hilt / guard is very very good. The original 1815 leather grip and twisted grip wire bindings are pretty much as new (but, listen, they are over 200 years old, guaranteed). The heavy steel scabbard has lost some of its original chemical browning but is still very good. The sword sheathes and draws well once half way in but needs positioning correctly a little when first sheathing.
You will never be able to buy one in this condition again. OMG, was £? (too late, now sold). Please quote item reference AH11. Further / full sized images available upon request. Box 1643-122x15x14 (2.913).
