Portuguese cavalry saber

Jim McDougall · 16th October 2018, 04:55 AM

Surely an anomaly.
Charles Reeves is believed to have begun with partner Joseph Greaves in 1829. While the blade marking is inconsistent with the manner of stamping blades at this time...usually on the back near the hilt.....this example is apparently a sword made for export to Spain.

It is of the M1821 regulation pattern for light cavalry, which had interruptions in production until 1829, when these were produced in number. They were superceded by the pattern 1853.

The unusual stamp on the face of the blade REEVES and the abbreviated Birmingham at the forte is as these were marked. It is odd to see the 'ears' from the backstrap usually on the troopers M1829 while this hilt has the braided wire wrap for the officers cavalry sabres.

Also unusual is the single carry ring on the scabbard, which on British cavalry swords there were two until much later.

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16th October 2018, 04:55 AM	#3
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,458	Surely an anomaly. Charles Reeves is believed to have begun with partner Joseph Greaves in 1829. While the blade marking is inconsistent with the manner of stamping blades at this time...usually on the back near the hilt.....this example is apparently a sword made for export to Spain. It is of the M1821 regulation pattern for light cavalry, which had interruptions in production until 1829, when these were produced in number. They were superceded by the pattern 1853. The unusual stamp on the face of the blade REEVES and the abbreviated Birmingham at the forte is as these were marked. It is odd to see the 'ears' from the backstrap usually on the troopers M1829 while this hilt has the braided wire wrap for the officers cavalry sabres. Also unusual is the single carry ring on the scabbard, which on British cavalry swords there were two until much later.