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Post by aryankee on Nov 28, 2023 1:39:32 GMT
I’ve been researching the sword mentioned in the subject line.
I inherited it from my stepfather who got it from his grandfather.
On the spine I can make out the maker was Craven. On the blade near the hilt is the crown over 4. No other decernable marks are visible.
I’ve been able to ascertain manufacture dates are most likely 1799-1802. Rare?
This is my first post so I don’t think I can post pictures yet.
I can’t seem to find information on Craven or a 1796 sword without getting auction sites.
I’m eagerly looking forward to any information any of you can provide!
Thank you
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Post by pellius on Nov 28, 2023 2:37:57 GMT
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Post by aryankee on Nov 28, 2023 3:06:58 GMT
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Post by pellius on Nov 28, 2023 4:06:19 GMT
Hard to tell for sure from the photos, and I’m not an expert, but to me your saber looks more like an 1811 Blucher than a 1796.
Either way, they aren’t particularly rare.
Both are among the more sought after “common” models. The 1796 tends to be worth a little more.
Definitely a very nice saber to have.
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Post by pellius on Nov 28, 2023 4:11:00 GMT
Here’s a video by Matt Easton that you may find useful:
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Post by madirish on Nov 28, 2023 15:29:56 GMT
Grip does seem more Blucher than 1796. But a cool find either way. Please post more detailed pictures of the hilt from various angles.
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Post by aryankee on Nov 28, 2023 17:42:51 GMT
Will do.
I had taken it to an antique arms dealer in Missouri that identified it as a 1796. He was an officer in the Calvary for the US Army. He was super excited to see it. He showed me a couple of sabers he got as war prizes from Saddam Husseins palace.
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Post by treeslicer on Nov 28, 2023 18:16:36 GMT
He showed me a couple of sabers he got as war prizes from Saddam Husseins palace. Chinese repros or Indian? I'm not questioning the provenance, just Saddam's taste in decoration.
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Post by bas on Nov 28, 2023 21:07:07 GMT
Welcome Aryankee, you have a British 1796 Pattern light cavalry troopers sabre. The 4 under crown stamp is the ordinance board inspection stamp. Unfortunately not a lot is know about these stamps, it's believed they related to a specific inspector but no records linking a stamp to a person are known. The whole process of centeralised inspection for swords was new at the time, having only been introduced in the early 1790s. While the m1811 Blucher has some similarities to the 1796 Pattern LC, since it is a copy, your sabe is most certainly British given the maker and the ordinance board stamp, plus it has the correct British scabbard. Furthermore, a Prussian m1811 would have additional stamps on the guard and scabbard to show the units it had been issued to.
Thomas Craven (b.1783) started out as a cutler in partnership with Edward Bradbury around 1797, the partnership was disolved in 1798 after which he set out on his own, listed in the 1800 trade directory as a Sword Cutler and Toy Maker. In 1803 there is a listing for Cooper and Craven, sword cutlers and patent fender makers. This lasts until 1817 when the partnership is disolved and he continues to trade as himself until around 1822.
According to Richard Dellar, production of the 1796 LC swords wained around 1812 so 1799 to 1812 is a reasonable estimate of your swords age. As Pellius says, they are not a rare sword but desirable especially if in good condition as the trooper swords had a long and hard service life and it is harder to find them in good condition.
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Post by pellius on Nov 28, 2023 21:50:51 GMT
Thank you for the excellent info, bas It’s very much appreciated
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Post by aryankee on Nov 29, 2023 1:29:01 GMT
Thank you Bas! Great information!
Treeslicer, I haven’t a clue who made Saddam’s swords. It’s been a couple years since I saw them!
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