NAM.1963-10-129-1

1796 Pattern Light Cavalry Trooper’s Sword, 18th Regiment of (Light) Dragoons, 1808-1821. This sword is similar to an officer’s sword except that it is less finely decorated. This particular example bears issue marks of the G Troop, 18th Regiment of (Light) Dragoons. Blade is curved, flat backed, fullered and spear pointed; stirrup hilt with shield shaped langets; hilt mounts in wrought steel; wooden grip bound with cord and covered in leather; made by Osborne and Gunby, based on a design by Maj Gen John Gaspard Le Marchant and is heavily influenced by contemporary Austrian designs; the main defect of the sword is its guard, the stirrup design gives little protection to the hand; despite this the Pattern was in service with the Regular Army for 30 years and continued to be used by Yeomanry Regiments and Indian cavalry regiments.