This is a fantastic example of a Napoleonic Wars period 1803 pattern Infantry Flank officer’s sabre made by Wooley & Deakin of Birmingham. The Flank companies of the British army (so called because when deployed in the standard line formation they occupied the right and left flanks) were the Grenadiers and Light companies, including the newly formed Rifle companies of which the famous 95th Rifles was the first.
The grenadiers and light companies of a battalion were considered the elite of these infantry regiments, often fighting out in front of the main army as skirmishers. Grenadiers were also the senior company of any infantry battalion and would typically lead an assault.
The added risk associated with skirmishing meant that flank company officers needed a more robust fighting sword than the unpopular regulation 1796 infantry spadroon. The need for a more robust weapon was formally acknowledged by King George III in 1803, when he approved “a Pattern Sword for the Officers of Grenadiers and Light Infantry.” The newly adopted sword was the 1803 pattern Flank Officer’s sabre with its iconic lion-head pommel and George III cypher on the guard.
The gently curved 775mm single-edged blade has a flat spine and wide fuller, terminating in a hatchet point. The short blade is an ideal length for fighting on foot.
The half-blue and gilt blade is in good condition with a few patches of tarnish and some very shallow pitting towards the point. The first half of the blade is blued with gilt inlay to the engravings. The blade is nicely engraved with floral and foliate scrollwork above the crowned cypher of King George III (1760-1820). Below the Royal cypher is an engraving of a flank officer above foliate or feather work. The obverse of the blade bears a floral wreath above the post 1801 British Royal Arms containing the motto “Honi Soit Qui Mal Y Pense” and a ribbon with the motto “Dieu Et Mon Droit” above a trophy of arms. The forte bears an engraved maker’s cartouche containing the details, “Wooley, Deakin & Co.” The blade retains a good amount of its original blue and the engravings retain their gilt inlay.
The robust brass hilt is in excellent condition and bears the Royal Cypher of King George III below the lion head pommel typical of this pattern. The guard is well made and the lion’s head pommel is nicely detailed. The leather bound grip is in excellent condition and the copper wire binding is intact and tight. The grip is solid and strong and the blade is firm in the hilt.
The sabre is complete with its black leather scabbard with brass furniture and two suspension rings. The scabbard is in good condition with some crazing to the original shellac finish and age appropriate wear. There is an old crease about a third of the way up from the shoe. Care should be taken when drawing blades from leather scabbards as the weight of the shoe causes the scabbard to bend and become damaged over time. The brass locket and suspension band are in excellent condition with slight deformation of the second suspension ring. The brass shoe has use related dings. The sabre sheathes and draws smoothly and is held firmly within the scabbard.
This is a beautiful 1803 flank officer’s sabre from the Peninsular and Napoleonic Wars period by a top Birmingham maker and retaining most of its gilt inlay.
