December 10-13, 2024 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/10/2024
Officer's spadroon following British 1796 regulations, with straight single-fullered blade with blued panel displaying gilded floral motifs and panoplies of arms, but of reduced proportions in both blade and hilt. Such "gala" swords were often carried by officers in lieu of their full-sized fighting swords, as they still fulfilled requirements to wear swords on duty or otherwise in uniform, yet were both lighter and less likely to get entangled, for example, on the dance floor at a public assembly, at court, or while on some staff assignment away from troops. Gilt brass hilt with folding counter guard on left side and twisted silver wire-wrapped grip. The sword's original, tasseled swordknot survives in very good condition, being per 1796 specification of gold lace with centered crimson line. Complete with its original black leather scabbard with gilt brass mounts. Complete with original gilt sword knot. CONDITION: Blade retains about 60% original faded blue and gilt with some scattered frosting. Hilt retains about 75-85% original gilding with some high edge and handling wear. Grip wrap present and complete but slightly loose. Scabbard very good with some minor cracking to surface of leather; gilded brass mounts (throat, middle-band and chape) show generous traces of gilt finish. A very attractive example. Blade Length: 26 in; overall Length: 32 1/2 in.