EL7289 - A very scarce Napoleonic Royal Navy version of the 1803 pattern sabre. The 1803 pattern sabre was introduced for infantry officers to carry as an alternative to the 1796 spadroon, as they had been unofficially carrying sabres on campaign anyway. The 1803 pattern usually just carries the GR cypher, but sometimes has grenadier or light infantry emblems incorporated into the guard instead, according to the officer's commission. However, what is much rarer to find is the anchor symbol of a Royal Navy officer, and that is what we have here. The sword has been polished (I would say over-polished!) by a previous owner, and I imagine that the blade was rather rusty before this, as there is pitting evident in what is now a very shiny 28 inch blade. The grip wire I believe is a replacement and the end of the tang has been re-peened, but the shagreen looks original and the whole construction is now tight with no movement, and it is a pleasing and nimble sword in the hand, and with its service sharpened edge probably saw some epic history in its time. A rare piece.
