1822 British Lancer Mameluke

[Calien]

No nothing, lots of foliage but not even the GR on it. Pretty unique in that sense I'm guessing because he was French? Also yes Steve is doing a really amazing job with his database, I promised him I would write up an article about this sword but my writing skills suck as you can see lol.

[JT88]

Well I got an expert opinion and they said: “It is of the earlier form of c. 1805 period, but likely 1810-20. Without the regimental devices in motif it is hard to say, but the motif in your fittings resembles one from the 9th Lancers.”

I think this is as far as deduction can carry us on this Mameluke. The blade may have been acquired during the second Egypt expedition in 1811. The British did loot a lot of blades then, then put together back in England. As for the scabbard motifs, if they are ONLY found on lancer blades. I think it can be assumed this was a lancer’s, though of which unit I’ll never know. Glad to have stirred some healthy discussion here. Calien has many beautiful Mamelukes. I’d be happy to post my Pala here but there isn’t anything to learn on that one.

[Bryce]

G'day JT88,
The 11th Hussars also had similar motifs on their scabbard bands and cross guards. I think you can call it "in the style favoured by light cavalry officers", but you can't narrow it down to just Lancers.
Cheers,
Bryce

[JT88]

Where do you see the 11th Hussar example?

[Bryce]

If you google "11th Hussars mameluke" you can find several examples on the web.

Going back to Calien's mameluke by T Symmons 102 Pall Mall, I stumbled across an example on the net which does have a Runkel blade. Either Symmons was in business before 1815 or he was using old stock?

Cheers,
Bryce

[JT88]

I did, and I see no 11th Hussar mamelukes that have the same fittings??

[Bryce]

You are right. The 11th Hussars sword I posted above has exactly the same design on the crossguard (with the addition of the Egypt battle honour) as marked 9th Lancers examples, but the scabbard bands have a similar, but not the same motif.
Cheers,
Bryce

[JT88]

Well guys I appreciate all the responses! The detective work is always fun, if not the best part about collecting antique weapons, though I want to consider myself a historian and not an antiquarian so the research will always continue, but this has come to an end for now at least.

I did my write-up on the piece and posted it to SBG

Cheers!

https://sbg-sword-forum.forums.net/t...mameluke-sword

[Jim McDougall]

Originally Posted by JT88

Well guys I appreciate all the responses! The detective work is always fun, if not the best part about collecting antique weapons, though I want to consider myself a historian and not an antiquarian so the research will always continue, but this has come to an end for now at least.

I did my write-up on the piece and posted it to SBG

Cheers!

https://sbg-sword-forum.forums.net/t...mameluke-sword

This is an absolutely brilliant look into these most interesting and attractive sabers JT!!! It makes very clear the resounding influence that these swords made on the British and French, and that Wellington, one of the most admired British leaders of his time, set the pace for these to become such prized swords in the British army.

Thank you for sharing this here! Your example of the mameluke saber becomes so much more appreciated with this colorful background.

[JT88]

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

This is an absolutely brilliant look into these most interesting and attractive sabers JT!!! It makes very clear the resounding influence that these swords made on the British and French, and that Wellington, one of the most admired British leaders of his time, set the pace for these to become such prized swords in the British army.

Thank you for sharing this here! Your example of the mameluke saber becomes so much more appreciated with this colorful background.

Thanks, Jim! Your help was instrumental!