Napoleonic Blue & Gilt 1796 Infantry Officer's Spadroon

EL6107 - A blue and gilt-bladed 1796 pattern infantry officer's spadroon. Half of the scabbard remains and the locket carries the name of the outfitter Cattle & Barber of York. Structurally this sword is sound, with the usual bit of wiggle to the guard, due to the loss/reduction in the leather washer. The grip and pommel are still tight on the tang and the grip retains it's nice finish. There is quite a lot of gilding remaining to the hilt overall and the folding drop works well. The blue and gilt of the blade is much better on one side than the other and there is some corrosion which could perhaps be carefully cleaned. However, this sword is priced according to its cosmetic condition and of course would have been valued much higher had it been in better condition. Still for the price a nice sword and could probably be improved with careful cleaning.