This Georgian 1796 Light Cavalry Officer’s Sabre was made by Henry Osborn between 1798 and 1807.
The 784mm curved blade has a flat spine above a wide, shallow fuller and terminates in a hatchet point. The spine is stamped “Osborn” The blade is un-etched and retains a sharp fighting edge with a couple of small nicks. Clearly this sword was intended for fighting as opposed to wearing for show. The officer probably had a second sabre with blue and gilt etching to be worn for dress occasions.
The blade is in very good condition with just a few small patches of tarnish and some shallow pitting towards the point on one side.
The stirrup hilt has a plain back strap with comma-shaped ears. The steel is bright and in good condition with a mottled age patina. The shagreen wrapped grip is in good condition and retains three strands of twisted silver wire. The blade is firm in the hilt.
The sabre is complete with its steel scabbard, which is in overall excellent condition with only mild age-related tarnish. The scabbard retains its wooden lining and the sword sheaths and draws smoothly and is held firmly within the scabbard.
This is a great example of a Napoleonic Wars period light cavalry officers’ fighting sabre.
