Officers sword pattern 1796 for Light Cavalry?

[Jim McDougall]

In looking at this further, first I'd like to thank Fernando for the superb research, data presented and observations........this not only pertinent but most valuable perspective and much appreciated.

It seems that during these Napoleonic campaigns and subsequent occupations, there was apparently some propensity for unique blade acquisitions by British officers. In Paris, there were a number of blades acquired which were M1796 heavy cavalry officers sword blades, blued with the cypher of George III, and marked Klingenthal, the French sword blade factory.
Apparently in Solingen there were numbers of these M1796 British heavy cavalry blades left over from the J J Runkel contracts which ended 1807.
These must have been either decorated in Solingen or possibly Klingenthal, however the style of inscription matches the type used by Solingen with the Runkel contracts (article by Richard Dellar, 'Man at Arms', Vol.43,#4, August 2021).

With the Toledo factory, it was indeed closed down for a time during the Peninsular campaigns and perhaps in the ensuing struggle for independence.
The Toledo factory had been reopened in 1761 after a nearly century long hiatus, and in producing cavalry sword blades with patterns in the 1790s they did begin using the 'clipped point' (sharpened along the blade back considerably up the blade).
This suggests that the industry was favoring this feature on blades, and the raised back 'yelman' was in vogue, so this beveled looking blade does correspond to Spanish style, though admittedly an anomaly.

If a 'Toledo' blade was desired by a British officer in this notable year, 1812, then it does seem possible he may have been accommodated. Clearly a private commission would include his name in a status measure. The style hilt is similar in character to Osborn hilts, and if this blade was made for this officer, a scabbard to suit would have been made in accord with the blade.
The partial obscuring of the inscription (which does seem in accord with Toledo convention of the period) would be understandable with this custom blade. The presence of English swords was of course well established in Spain in these times.

The mounting of English blades in Indian hilts in the British Raj is well known, and vice versa, foreign blades on English hilts.

[midelburgo]

Calien sword is very interesting. I have seen blades marked in 1812 as made in Cadiz. And Toledo in 1813. And I have a Toledo 1814 blade. The obscured word before Fbca shall be Rl (Real).

I think it is copying a French model.

I do not think the grip and hilt were made at Toledo. Possibly they were recicled from another sword or mounted later. At that time Toledo was not using fishskin. And I have not seen those hilt ears at a Toledo sword.

[Calien]

Rad this particular scabbard and guard are somewhat unique, Ive never seen those rings on sabers made in spain just earlier english ones.

[Calien]

Originally Posted by midelburgo

Calien sword is very interesting. I have seen blades marked in 1812 as made in Cadiz. And Toledo in 1813. And I have a Toledo 1814 blade. The obscured word before Fbca shall be Rl (Real).

I think it is copying a French model.

I do not think the grip and hilt were made at Toledo. Possibly they were recicled from another sword or mounted later. At that time Toledo was not using fishskin. And I have not seen those hilt ears at a Toledo sword.

I would love to see some pictures of those samples, its very rare to see anything made in spain during these years so im rather curious.

[fernando]

Originally Posted by Calien

... its very rare to see anything made in spain during these years so im rather curious.

Calvó shows us a sword inscribed CADIZ. CALLAR Y OBRAR ( Shut up and work). AÑO D 1811.


.

[Calien]

wow very interesting, this is clearly a sword after the 1803 british flank officer saber. First time I see the same ears as on mine, smaller and more of a half circle rather than a half oval like most british made 1796s.

[midelburgo]

Originally Posted by Calien

I would love to see some pictures of those samples, its very rare to see anything made in spain during these years so im rather curious.

I will put a light cavalry and a light infantry examples from Cadiz 1811.


Then a couple of Toledo 1814 Line cavalry.

I could not find Toledo/Cadiz 1813, Although I found a couple of Cadiz with lost date, and a 1812 no clear if Cadiz (probably) or Toledo (unlikely).

[midelburgo]

I would like to take advantage of this already going thread.

I just won this, from Spain. I will say it is a Chasseur sabre from about 1805, but I am not sure of the country. It does not look French or Austrian to me.

Has it a 1796 blade? or it is too curved?

[Calien]

Wow these are amazing! That flank officer definitely has the same style tip or very similar, are these yours?

Originally Posted by midelburgo

I will put a light cavalry and a light infantry examples from Cadiz 1811.


Then a couple of Toledo 1814 Line cavalry.

I could not find Toledo/Cadiz 1813, Although I found a couple of Cadiz with lost date, and a 1812 no clear if Cadiz (probably) or Toledo (unlikely).

[Calien]

Reviving this older thread with this amazing sample I got last night off a French website. Having a little trouble getting a hit on the crest but the model is fantastic. Samuel Brunn was around from 1797 to 1820 making top end guns and sabers (On par with Prusser) after the war he hit hard times and ended up bankrupt. As far as the crest goes I have not gotten any hits, clearly this officer was a freemason so that's one clue, and I'm not 100% sure but I think a crown is also not very common. If anyone recognizes it please let me know. Thank you and enjoy.

[Radboud]

Wonderful quality on the etching, I wonder if it wasn't an export sword. I've seen an example of a Dutch naval officer's sword by Prosser, so it is possible that Brunn exported as well.