Estimating age from markings - 1796 pattern HCTS
Nov 12, 2018 9:27:28 GMT
Post by larks on Nov 12, 2018 9:27:28 GMT
I have recently been very fortunate to acquire a 1796 Pattern Heavy cavalry Troopers Sword and, while waiting on a couple of books on the subject, am wondering how closely I could estimate the date of production from its markings. (I will do a seperate post on the sword itself to seek some help in repairing damage that was done in shipping.)
I have two leads to pursue from the sword itself:
The first is that it is marked as produced by Hadley. So, understanding that the 1796 HCTS was produced from 1796 to 1821, I’m wondering if there is any known history of Hadley's production of this particular pattern of sword and whether that production may have been limited to a certain timeframe.
I note that some Hadley marked swords that I have seen are printed with a solid print, or a typed style of print, whereas mine is a script style of print.
The second is the inspectors mark, being a crown over 4. Is there any record of which inspector this may refer to and whether it was a number that was used in a particular timeframe?
There is a third hint with the scabbard, however I am mindful that the scabbard may not necessarily be original to the sword. It is marked with a scribed “E29” (as opposed to a stamped E29).
There is another factor that may point to a limited timeframe or it may simply be how Hadley produced their swords throughout the time that they made 1796 HCTS’s: The grip pattern, rather than being shaped by grooves carved into the wood of the grip before being wrapped with leather (as I’ve seen on every other 1796 HCTS that I’ve looked at), is shaped instead with string wrapped around the wooden grip then wrapped with leather.
I don’t believe this is unique but it does "seem" to be somewhat rare amongst these swords and I wonder if it may have been an option adopted by Hadley for a short period before being changed to what appears to be the more standard carved grip style, or vice versa.
I have two leads to pursue from the sword itself:
The first is that it is marked as produced by Hadley. So, understanding that the 1796 HCTS was produced from 1796 to 1821, I’m wondering if there is any known history of Hadley's production of this particular pattern of sword and whether that production may have been limited to a certain timeframe.
I note that some Hadley marked swords that I have seen are printed with a solid print, or a typed style of print, whereas mine is a script style of print.
The second is the inspectors mark, being a crown over 4. Is there any record of which inspector this may refer to and whether it was a number that was used in a particular timeframe?
There is a third hint with the scabbard, however I am mindful that the scabbard may not necessarily be original to the sword. It is marked with a scribed “E29” (as opposed to a stamped E29).
There is another factor that may point to a limited timeframe or it may simply be how Hadley produced their swords throughout the time that they made 1796 HCTS’s: The grip pattern, rather than being shaped by grooves carved into the wood of the grip before being wrapped with leather (as I’ve seen on every other 1796 HCTS that I’ve looked at), is shaped instead with string wrapped around the wooden grip then wrapped with leather.
I don’t believe this is unique but it does "seem" to be somewhat rare amongst these swords and I wonder if it may have been an option adopted by Hadley for a short period before being changed to what appears to be the more standard carved grip style, or vice versa.