An XI light cavalry sabre - original or well studied copy?

This might be the most faked sword model ever.
Dunno if the one you’re looking at is genuine, though.

thanks all.

Yes, the grip is what threw me off, too - but to be honest I would not be too bothered if that was replaced at a later stage.

I went blind trying to look at proved copies, and could not come close to a copy wo well made. even the empire costumes copy is AS good (at least not the poincons)

I might fall for it I think..if it's a copy...well fair play to whoever made it, I swallow bait line and sinker..

wow ok - thought they claim they're the best reproduction on the market...would you know of any reseller/manufacturer of good quality an XI replicas any chance? i'm still scrambling to try to establish if what I'm looking at is a copy or an original that someone desperately and foolishly scrabbed down to a shine, so examples of well-known copies would really help for me to check for a match...thanks

This might be useful to you:

www.antique-swords.com/french-an-xiii-cuirassier-sabres.html?fbclid=IwAR2rkWS2pvvfVftNNHnxehnygqvArMl55YXfBdSkjAsc1tjEm8JeVZaYtyo

Regarding EC, I have one. The grip is too small to hold the sword with a thumb-up grip, even without gauntlets. It is too thin at the forte and too thick at the foible, with only slight distal taper. Thus, it handles like a crowbar held at the pointy end.

At least one member (long ago, now) reported that he bought one to use as a cutter - as advertised - and the blade snapped in two. When he contacted EC, they told him cutting water bottles was abusive use, and declined to warranty the saber.

As always, your mileage may vary. My two cents would be to buy from a reputable dealer or a trusted seller. If that’s out of your price range, maybe consider a French 1822 heavy or light cav saber instead. They are not as pretty or (arguably) historically significant, but are way more common and less expensive. They are also easier to find in very good condition.

Again imho, the 1822 first gen (before 1850) handles about as well as an ANXI. It was widely copied, and served in active duty for nearly a century.

The 1822 heavy handles better than both, and is a far more impressive saber in the hand. In their time they were not liked, so their prices tend to be very reasonable.

fwiw