1796P British Heavy Cavalry Trooper's Sword, Waterloo (sold)

A guaranteed authentic British 1796 pattern heavy cavalry trooper's sword with spear point and Waterloo provenance.

I 100% guarantee this is an authentic British 1796 pattern heavy cavalry trooper's sword made between 1799 and 1802. I can hand on heart say 99% this sword saw action at Waterloo in 1815. I have actually published an article / blog featuring this very sword here; Was my 1796P British heavy cavalry sword at Waterloo?

Further, I truly believe this sword was carried by a fallen British cavalryman because the hilt has not been modified (many that remained in active service had a portion of their hilt disc removed to try and prevent uniform wear) and the langets have not been removed (many in active service had these removed because of the tendency of the sword to catch as it was being drawn and sheathed). As this sword was finally issued to the Worcester Yeomanry Cavalry I suspect around 1821, it almost certainly was in store from the end of the 100 Days War (Waterloo) until that time, which does not speak optimistically for the man who once held it.

With the correct crown (over 4) acceptance mark to prove it was bought by the British army, marked to maker "T Craven" (Birmingham, england) on the spine dating it to 1799 - 1802, this 1798P had its blade modified to spear point which means 99% it was at Waterloo. Bear in mind, 1796P heavy cavalry swords had extremely long and arduous service lives. Many were thrashed to bits in cavalry practice. many more were cot down as cutlasses. It is incredibly rare to find an authentic 1796P heavy cavalry trooper's sword in good condition.

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The 35 inch blade is sound, there are a number of tell-tale large nicks to the cutting edge which again says "Waterloo". The blade is firm in the hilt. The hilt is aged. The grip is about 1/3 original leather, 2/3 restoration mastic (a rubber type compound used to preserve what is left of the grip); this appears to have been well done. The wood underneath is sound. You could replace the grip but I would never personally do that, as the original leather (what there is) is part of the attraction, that you get to hold what the trooper did at Waterloo. The scabbard is well aged, the throat piece missing, the original wooden liners gone, so the blade rattles in the scabbard of course. This sword will only give years of pleasure and appreciate. My reference number is 855 (344).