This 1796 pattern British Infantry officer’s sword was made in Germany (Solingen) prior to Napoleon’s invasion of the country in 1806 and is a very good example of a British sword that saw service throughout the Napoleonic wars.
The 830mm single-edged spadroon blade has a full length single fuller on both sides below a flat spine that terminates in a spear point. The blade has a 180mm upper false edge. The blade’s single edge was service sharpened. The blade is bright with an even, pale patina and is free of rust with only a few small patches of very shallow pitting. The engraving is clear with traces of the original gilding.
The blade is engraved with floral motifs and King George III Royal cypher below a crown. The obverse is engraved with floral motifs, trophies of arms and the Royal coat of arms and motto bracketed with crescent moons. The ricasso on both sides bears a diagonal striped pattern and the spine is engraved with the word “Solingen.” The text of the spine engraving suggests that this blade was a Runkel import. Johann Justus Runkel was a German who moved to England in 1779. Runkel was a prolific importer of high quality Solingen made swords and blades between 1780 and his death in 1808.
This sword has the early pattern fixed double shell guard. Later examples adopted a folding guard to make wearing it more comfortable and to reduce wear to the officer’s uniform. The D-shape knuckle bow and urn pommel are decorated with an acanthus foliate design. The gilt brass hilt and guard are in very good condition and retain most of their original gilt finish. The blade is firm in the hilt. The twisted silver wire on the grip is a replacement but is correct for the pattern.
This late 18th Century spadroon is in very good condition and is a great, early example of the 1796 pattern infantry officer’s sword.
