This 1821 pattern light cavalry sword bears an officer’s hilt with an un-etched, enlisted man's blade and was probably for a non-commissioned officer.
The 890mm single-edged blade has a 10mm thick spine above a wide, three-quarter length fuller. The blade is double-edged for the final 210mm and terminates in a spear point. The blade is broad, measuring 37mm at the ricasso and is in very good condition with minimal use related marks and small patches of pale tarnish. The blade has been service sharpened and retains a fighting edge. There are no maker’s details on either the spine or ricasso but this is not uncommon. The majority of 1821 pattern light cavalry swords were made by Reeves & Co., Birmingham or at the Royal Small Arms Factory, Enfield.
The iron three-bar guard is in good condition with minimal age related tarnish. There is a period braised repair to a crack in the knuckle bow. The shagreen on the grip shows small areas of use related wear and losses. The twisted copper wire is intact and tight. The wear to the grip and guard show that this robust fighting sword saw some use.
The sword is complete with its iron scabbard with twin suspension rings and lyre-shaped shoe. The scabbard is in overall good condition with a speckled patina and very shallow pitting. One of the two screws that fixes the scabbard mouth is missing. The sword sheathes and draws smoothly.
This is a good example of an increasingly hard to find light cavalry NCO’s P1821 fighting sword.
