Scabbard

The 1796P British light cavalry sabre was the bane of the French Imperial Army; a highly effective slashing weapon that carved soldiers up like hams, leaving them badly or mortally wounded rather than inflicting a quick kill as was considered proper by the French.

The history of the 1796P LC.

After the so-called Flanders expedition and participation in the June 1793 cavalry trials amongst fellow European armies, British Major John Gaspard Le Marchant was horrified at the superiority of other (foreign) cavalry regiments over the British, in particular the Austrian cavalry. Le Marchant studied the methods and weapons of other nations and when he returned to England set about drastically improving the training and equipment of His Majesty's cavalry regiments.

It is well recorded that Le Marchant copied virtually like for like the Austrian M1775 Pallasche as the new British 1796P heavy cavalry sword, but what is less well know is he also virtually copied the Austrian light cavalry sabre, and created the British 1796P light cavalry sabre. Notions that somehow the Prussians copied the British 1796P light cavalry sabre 15 years later when they introduced the Prussian M1811 Blucher seem somehow contrived.

In some respects and as reflected by the General Order of 1796P to adopt the new sabre (“The Sabre is to be of the same pattern as the last one approved of by His Majesty”), the 1796P light cavalry sabre was in fact an improvement of the little well known 1792 pattern light dragoon's sabre which had a brass hilt and grip (terrible to hold and affording almost no protection to the hand), plus frail leather scabbard. Though the 1796P hilt was to be made of steel, the grip of leather and the scabbard of much sturdier steel also.

Officer's 1796P's were resplendent with gilt and blue etch decoration to the blade; most also had fishskin grips. Trooper sabres were slightly heavier, especially the scabbards, to last longer, with plain blades and leather grips. Some regiments bought officer sabres for important sergeants. As a general guide 1796P's with etched blades were officer sabres, etched blades with regimental markings to the langets and / or hilt / and / or scabbard were cavalry troop / squadron sergeant majors.

1796P trooper sabres were made by a number of English makers. Most but not all bore maker's marks; many would simply have 2 or 3 “B” bend test marks to the spine. Sabres issued to regular cavalry regiments bear a proof mark to the blade. If there is no proof mark, it was either worn off (unlikely) or the sabre was one sold to a reserve yeomanry cavalry regiment or other private buyer; even the Americans bought some. Often trooper sabres have regimental markings, though sadly not many identify the actual regiment; most simply show the troop (a letter) and trooper / rack number.

Those associated with the 100 Days War (Waterloo, etc.) often come in mismatched scabbards. This is believed to be because the sabre was collected from the battlefield from a fallen cavalryman after the event and placed in the nearest model correct scabbard. They were never sorted back into their correct scabbards as the British Army downsized after it defeated Napoleon and no longer needed or could afford to pay for so many soldiers and their weapons.

Grateful thanks to Sword Sales EU for the photos.