1796 light cavalry saber

bvieira · 10th October 2018, 06:26 PM

Hello,

Could somebody help me with the marks meaning on this 1796 light cavalry saber?

tks!

Best Regards,

BV

Jon MB · 10th October 2018, 06:41 PM

First: Proof Mark
Second: Stamp of Thomas Hadley of Birmingham

bvieira · 11th October 2018, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jon MB

First: Proof Mark
Second: Stamp of Thomas Hadley of Birmingham

Hello,

Tks for the information!

Regards,

BV

Jim McDougall · 11th October 2018, 11:25 PM

BV,
A very nice example of these cavalry sabres which are getting to be harder to find.
If you collect British cavalry swords you might consider "Swords of the British Army" by Brian Robson which was first out in 1975 but now a revised version is on Amazon.
While Thomas Hadley is listed in Birmingham 1767-1781, he is also listed as a gunmaker in London 1780-89 and a Gilbert Hadley again listed in London c. 1825.

In these times, gunmakers also assembled swords and acquired the blades from other makers. Since this is a 1796 pattern which was not widely produced until just after that, we may presume that this sword, apparently an early version, was probably assembled in London around 1800 by Hadley and inspected at the Tower.

These swords were in use from these times until they began being replaced by the M1821 pattern swords but continued in use beyond that and further when issued to yeomanry units. Many were sold to other countries as well.
Odd that there are no regiment markings as typically seen.

jezcott · 12th October 2018, 12:44 PM

After 1788 swords made by contractors for the government Board of Ordnance were inspected and tested (proof) to ensure quality standards were adequate. On passing this inspection a mark was applied, which was a crown over a number. So your sabre is a military issue sabre. Under the crown would be a number, though on your example it looks a bit mangled through wear/polishing I guess.

fernando · 12th October 2018, 01:34 PM

Given that these sabres were arming British troops sent to join Portuguese forces during the Peninsular War, it might be that this example ended up in Portugal in that period.
Eventually this Cavalry model was also produced in Portugal at a later stage.

10th October 2018, 06:26 PM	#1
bvieira Member Join Date: Jul 2018 Posts: 108	1796 light cavalry saber Hello, Could somebody help me with the marks meaning on this 1796 light cavalry saber? tks! Best Regards, BV Attached Images

12th October 2018, 12:44 PM	#5
jezcott Member Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Cambridge, UK Posts: 12	After 1788 swords made by contractors for the government Board of Ordnance were inspected and tested (proof) to ensure quality standards were adequate. On passing this inspection a mark was applied, which was a crown over a number. So your sabre is a military issue sabre. Under the crown would be a number, though on your example it looks a bit mangled through wear/polishing I guess. Attached Images Last edited by fernando; 12th October 2018 at 01:21 PM. Reason: Watch forum rules; no links to "for sale" websites.

10th October 2018, 06:41 PM	#2
Jon MB Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Posts: 143	First: Proof Mark Second: Stamp of Thomas Hadley of Birmingham

11th October 2018, 11:25 PM	#4
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,946	BV, A very nice example of these cavalry sabres which are getting to be harder to find. If you collect British cavalry swords you might consider "Swords of the British Army" by Brian Robson which was first out in 1975 but now a revised version is on Amazon. While Thomas Hadley is listed in Birmingham 1767-1781, he is also listed as a gunmaker in London 1780-89 and a Gilbert Hadley again listed in London c. 1825. In these times, gunmakers also assembled swords and acquired the blades from other makers. Since this is a 1796 pattern which was not widely produced until just after that, we may presume that this sword, apparently an early version, was probably assembled in London around 1800 by Hadley and inspected at the Tower. These swords were in use from these times until they began being replaced by the M1821 pattern swords but continued in use beyond that and further when issued to yeomanry units. Many were sold to other countries as well. Odd that there are no regiment markings as typically seen.

12th October 2018, 01:34 PM	#6
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	Given that these sabres were arming British troops sent to join Portuguese forces during the Peninsular War, it might be that this example ended up in Portugal in that period. Eventually this Cavalry model was also produced in Portugal at a later stage.