Pre 1803 Flank Officers Sabre

An unusual pre-1803 Flank Officers sabre with scabbard. The blade is 71cm long with a total length of 82cm. The brass guard and horn grip is in good condition with no chipping, the grip wire is partially intact. There is a small amount of movement in the handle, most likely caused by natural shrinkage in the wooden core of the handle

The leather scabbard is unusual lacking any form of drag at the chape, and pronounced cutouts at the throat for the langets. Possibly for an office serving in India, the design is similar to ones used later by the East India Company

Following the introduction of the 1796 Infantry Officers spadroon many officers serving in the Flank Companies of regiments required something more robust. Often charged with skirmishing close to the enemy lines, these officers required a more suitable weapon, and by 1799 many had adopted the sabre. This also had the advantage of being suspended on slings, and could be hitched up for travel over rough ground more easily than traditional officers sword