British light cavalry sabre model 1796

$281.77

6 weeks

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(catalogue number: OSW741)

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BRITISH LIGHT CAVALRY SABRE MODEL 1796 - RENAISSANCE SWORDS, RAPIERS, SABRES

Description
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Designed by Major General John Gaspard Le Marchant, the 1796 light cavalrysabre was inspired by the sabres of Hungarian hussars and Central and Eastern European cavalry swords. As a young captain, Le Marchant noticed the clumsy design of the heavy and overly long swords of the 1788 pattern. In his opinion, "the blades of the Turks, Mamelukes, Moors and Hungarians were better than any others." He therefore designed the blade of this sabre with a pronounced curvature, which made it more suitable for attacks on horseback, and with an enlarged point, which, while affecting the balance, made the slashes more destructive. The sabre was issued mainly to British light dragoons and hussars, and also to the light cavalry of the Royal German Legion during the Napoleonic Wars. The blade profile became so popular that it was imitated by Prussia and other German states during the 19th century.

This exact replica of the sword weighs only 794 g. The blade has an extreme distal taper, giving it exceptional lightness and agility. It reaches 1.6 cm thick at the crossbar, while 2.5 cm from the tip it thins to 0.4 mm. The blade is hand forged from tough 1080 high carbon steel, hardened to resilience and fully sharpened from the factory.

An accurately reproduced steel sheath is also included.