The Italian Model 1833 mounted artillery trooper’s sabre also known as the horse artillery sabre had a long period of service. The M1833 sabre remained in use until the end of the 19th Century.
The 830mm single-edged blade is broad and slightly curved with a flat spine and wide, shallow fuller. The fuller terminates 120mm from the spear pointed tip. The blade is bright and clean with only minor speckles of pale tarnish (mostly on one side) and a few spots of shallow pitting. The blade’s ricasso bears a maker’s cartouche containing the letters “BV.”
The steel hilt has a straight stirrup guard with the langeted crosspiece incorporating a lanyard slot below the quillon. The disk quillon is stamped with a crown. The plain back strap has a vestigial thumb ridge and a flattened and lipped oval pommel with a domed oval cap through which the tang is peened. The back strap is stamped with the letters CG. The pommel cap is stamped with a small cartouche containing the letters CA. The corded wooden grip is wrapped with black leather. The leather wrap shows age and use related wear and losses, as does the twisted brass wire. The blade is firm in the hilt.
The sword is complete with its steel scabbard with a single suspension ring. The bottom of the scabbard is stamped with an inspection mark. The throat of the scabbard is inlet to accommodate the languets. The scabbard is in good condition with a pleasing patina and a some small, shallow dings. The sword sheathes and draws smoothly.
This is a good example of an Italian mounted artillery trooper’s sabre. The sabre is similar to (and often confused with) the British 1788 light cavalry sabre.
