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1 of 253523 objects
Sword c.1800
Steel, fish skin, wood and gilt brass | 100.3 cm; 950.0 g (Weight) (whole object) | RCIN 71727
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Light cavalry sword: stirrup-form gilt brass hilt, cap pommel with long fore extension and two long skirts over black fish skin grip. Knuckle guard from quillon to pommel; two oval langets with grotesque Medusa masks; curved blade part blued and gilt, decorated with a charging horse and the words '1er Regt / Hussards'
Provenance
Presented to George IV when Prince of Wales by Colonel George Leigh, on 7 February 1809, as the sword of 'the French General Le Fabre, . . . who was taken Prisoner on the Bridge of Benevente Decr 29th 1808 by Levy Grisdale a Private in Captain Goddard's Troop of the 10th Light Dragoons'.
Leigh was Equerry to the Prince of Wales from 1800. General Charles Lefebvre-Desnouettes (1773-1822), a most distinguished French cavalry officer, commanded the Chasseurs à Cheval of the Imperial Guard at the battle of Benevente, where he was wounded and captured. He does not appear to have served in the 1st Hussar Regiment.
Displayed in the Armoury at Carlton House (CH AA 1945). Sent to Windsor Castle and subsequently displayed in the North Corridor there (no. 1556). -
Creator(s)
(nationality)Acquirer(s)
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Medium and techniques
Steel, fish skin, wood and gilt brass
Measurements
100.3 cm; 950.0 g (Weight) (whole object)
87.0 cm (blade length)
Category
Object type(s)
Place of Production
France
