This scarce Italian Model 1833 mounted artillery trooper’s sabre was made in Solingen, Germany and is in great condition for its age and use.
The 825mm single-edged blade is broad and slightly curved with a flat spine above a wide, shallow fuller. The fuller runs almost full length to the spear point. The blade is bright and clean and retains its service edge. The blade’s ricasso bears the maker’s mark “W & Co.,” a trademark of Isaac Wester & Co of Solingen, Germany. The obverse ricasso bears an inspector’s mark, a rectangle containing the letters “FC.”
The steel stirrup hilt is in good condition with some shallow pitting. The leather wrapped grip is in good condition and retains its original brass wire. The blade is firm in the hilt.
The steel scabbard has a single suspension ring and an asymmetric shoe. The throat of the scabbard is inlet to accommodate the languets. The scabbard has a blackened finish and is in overall good condition with a round dent at the drag on one side and some light pitting. The sword sheathes and draws smoothly and is held firmly within the scabbard.
This is a good example of a scarce Italian mounted artillery sabre from the second half of the 19th Century. The sabre is similar to (and often confused with) the late 18th Century British 1788 light cavalry sabre.
