This is a rare British slotted hilt spadroon dating to around 1780. Swords of this type were used by English Light Dragoon officers until the adoption of the 1788 pattern light cavalry sword.
The 862mm single-edged spadroon blade has a flat spine and a broad, shallow fuller that runs into the double-edged spear point. The blade is 38mm wide at the shoulder with a 10mm thick spine. The distal taper takes the blade down to approximately 4.5mm at the mid-point. The blade is double-edged for the last 120mm.
The blade is in good condition for its 240 plus years of age. The engraved decoration comprises stands of arms, floral motifs and the crowned cypher of king George III. The obverse is similarly engraved. The engraving has minor wear and remains clear. The blade has a patch of deep pitting on one side at the mid-point and scattered shallow pitting across the whole with a pale age patina. The blade was service sharpened and retains a fighting edge.
The blade is held firmly within a slotted iron hilt with beaked quillon and D-shaped knuckle bow. The front of the guard is divided into four sections. The reeded ebony grip is firm and in good condition with mild age cracks and use related wear. The outside of the knuckle bow is ridged, having three convex and two concave sections that converge into a stylised birds head with a piercing for a lanyard ring. The bolster and back strap are smooth iron. The backstrap is finished with a flat oval pommel cap with a short beak. The tang is peened through the pommel cap and the blade is firm in the hilt. The hilt is in overall good condition with very shallow pitting and a pleasing patina.
This is a fine example of a rare light dragoon officer’s slotted hilt spadroon dating to the last quarter of the 18th Century.
