Developed via collaboration between Birmingham cutler Henry Osborne and Flanders Campaign veteran John Gaspard Le Marchant, the 1796 Light Cavalry Sword was the premier fighting sword of its day, inspiring imitation both in Europe and the Americas. While the enlisted men had a very specific regulation pattern, officers had a great deal more leeway, and this example is outfitted with a Damascus pattern blade and a sharply angled mameluke-style grip, seemingly diving deeper into the 1796's Eastern/Mediterranean influences. Overall length is 37 inches, with the 32 3/4 inch blade showing a 9 1/2 inch extended false edge, wide single fullers, a faint etched name (Jon Suttle or Smittle, perhaps) on the right side, and traces of geometric pattern gold embellishment in the area protected by the languets. The hilt is gilt brass, with leaf-shaped decoration, decorative whorls on the quillions, and braided wire wrap on the leather grip. The scabbard is brown leather with gilt brass furniture/reinforcement, with the tip and lower suspension band connected across the back and the merchant mark "PROSSER/late/CULLUM/Swordcutler &/Belt Maker to the/King & HRH/Duke of York/Charing Cross/London" on the throat.

Very good. The blade has been lightly cleaned and has a few areas of spotting and a number of small cracks. A very dark patina is visible under the languets. The hilt is also very good, with over half the original gilt finish, showing a few scratches and scuffs. The scabbard is good, with cracking and traces of a number in white paint on the leather and some cracks and bends in the brass.