This Georgian 1796 Light Cavalry Officer’s Sabre was made in Birmingham by Thomas Gill Snr between 1796 and 1801. The forte is etched with Thomas Gills' famous warranty.
The 826mm curved blade has a flat spine above a wide, shallow fuller and terminates in a hatchet point. The blade forte is etched with “Tho' Gills’ Warranted Never to Fail.” The etching is crisp and clear. The rest of the blade and the obverse are un-etched suggesting that this was an officer’s fighting as opposed to dress sword. The blade was service sharpened and is in good condition, retaining much of its original polish with some use/age related scratches and a pale salt & pepper patina.
The iron stirrup hilt has a plain back strap and pommel with a long straight quillon and shield languets. The hilt is bright and in good condition with a mild age patina. The ridged wooden grip retains its polished leather wrap. There is a split in the grip towards the pommel which is missing two strands of the twisted silver wire. The split in the grip has been stabilised with resin. The grip remains strong and the blade is firm in the hilt.
The sabre is complete with its polished iron scabbard with twin suspension rings. The scabbard is in good condition with a speckling of shallow pitting and two small and very shallow dings at the bottom on one side. The sword sheaths and draws smoothly.
This is a nice example of an early 1796 light cavalry sabre made by Thomas Gill senior prior to his death in 1801.
