18C British Infantry Officer's Short Sabre (Sold)

Good condition, very rare British infantry officer's short sabre with 5 ball spadroon hilt, circa 1780 (Americian War of Independence / American Revolutionary War era).

This is a clear fore runner to the first official pattern for British infantry swords (the later 1786 Pattern spadroon); the famous 5 ball hilt, a "trademark". However, unlike the later straight bladed later spadroons, this has a shorter (27.5 inch) curved sabre blade; an example of this exact same twin fullered blade type can be seen on page 326 of "Swords and Sword makers of England and Scotland" by Richard H. Bezdek, with the hilt shown on page 329. Prior to the introduction of official sword patterns in Britain, British army officers selected their own style for themselves and their subordinates.

The ebony grip has one small chip but otherwise is in good order, the blade is firm in the hilt. This is an important collector's sword as it is one of the very earliest 5 ball spadroons ever made. Further pictures available upon request. My item reference number is 153 (22)