An extremely rare George III period, Peninsular Wars Mameluke hilted fighting sword with pipe back and quill pointed blade made by John Prosser of London circa 1811. The flank officer’s sword is etched with the device of the Grenadier Company of the 45th (Nottinghamshire) Regiment of Foot.
The Grenadiers were one of the Flank companies of the British infantry, so called because when deployed in the standard line formation they occupied the right and left flanks. The grenadiers of a battalion were considered the elite of these infantry regiments, often fighting out in front of the main army as skirmishers. They were also the senior company of an infantry battalion and would typically lead an assault.
The 45th regiment had a well-earned reputation for being fierce, tenacious fighters, earning themselves the nickname, “The Old Stubborns” after the Battle of Talavera during the Peninsular War.
The regiment embarked for Portugal in July 1808 and served under General Sir Arthur Wellesley (later Duke of Wellington) throughout the Peninsular War. The regiment fought at the Battle of Rolica in August 1808, the Battle of Vimeiro later that month and the Battle of Talavera in July 1809. The following year, the regiment went on to fight at the Battle of Bussaco in September 1810 before falling back to rest, reinforce and re-equip while defending the Lines of Torres Vedras.
In May 1811, the approximate date of this sabre, the newly reinforced 45th returned to the fray, fighting in the Battle of Fuentes de Oñoro. The following year they took part in the Siege of Ciudad Rodrigo in January 1812 and the Siege of Badajoz in March 1812 before fighting at the Battle of Salamanca in July 1812.
After fighting in the Battle of Vitoria in June 1813, the 45th pursued the French Army into France and fought the Battle of the Pyrenees in July 1813, the Battle of Nivelle in November 1813 and the Battle of Orthez in February 1814 as well as the Battle of Toulouse in April 1814. Battle weary and seriously depleted, the regiment returned home to England in June 1814.
The heavy, 790mm Prosser pipe-back blade terminates in a quill point with a well-defined yelmen. The blade is 35mm wide at the shoulder with minimal taper and service sharpened edges. The sword retains its fighting edge with a few small nicks consistent with use.
The blade is etched on both sides with a crowned wreath with the number 45 to the centre, the designation of the 45th Regiment of Foot. This is surmounted by the Grenadier’s flaming grenade motif. Both sides are also decorated with a Stand of Arms and scrolled arches and foliage.
The forte is etched with the maker’s details, “Prosser, Maker to HRH the Prince Regent, Charing Cross, London.” The obverse forte shows a large serpent intertwined with foliage. The blade is in good condition with a mild patina and age and use related marks. The etching is faint in some areas.
The ivory Mameluke hilt is in good condition with age and use related wear and staining to the ivory scales. The scales are securely attached to the tang by floral rivets. One scale has a hairline crack around the sword knot eye in the pommel. The ivory has a wonderful buttery patina. The iron cross-guard is engraved with a foliate motif with turned bud-like finials. The cross-guard has double languets, the centres of which are decorated with gilt flower heads. The original leather washer is present and the blade is firm in the hilt.
The sabre is complete with its original steel scabbard with twin suspension rings. The scabbard is in very good condition with patches of darker tarnish and some shallow pitting. The suspension ring bands are decorated above and below with a toothed pattern. So too is the mouth of the scabbard. The sword sheathes and draws smoothly and is held firmly within the scabbard.
This is a fantastic and rare fighting officer's sabre that almost certainly saw action during the Peninsular Wars.
