Q & A

D.L. of Ottawa, Ontario writes:

I have attached 2 photos, one of the handle and hilt and another of the etchings on the blade of the sabre which family tradition states was owned by my 5th. g grandfather. He was one of many Loyalists evacuated from New York city subsequent to the defeat of the British in 1783.

I would like to verify the origin of this sabre.

We asked Ross Wilson to respond:

I do wish the gentleman had sent in more details as to the family story
behind the sword. However I can tell him that the sword certainly does date from the period of the American Revolution - in fact from about 1770.

I cannot tell from the photos whether or not the sword is a full or half sabre or if it is a short sword. It is however a 'light sword' used by light cavalry or as an officer’s badge of rank.

Knowing the shape and length of the blade would have given me an indication of its actual type. The hilt is of a pattern called a ‘stirrup hilt’ from its similarity to a saddle stirrup. The grip is either ivory or bone, (it’s difficult to tell from the photo), and there is the remains of the wire that would have been wrapped around the grip. From the markings on the blade I would say that the sword was originally from Germany. And given the large number of German soldiers that fought on the side of the British during the Revolution it is quite conceivable that the sword came from one of those. It is difficult to tell from the photos what the overall condition is but the hilt’s knuckle bow has obviously been bent out of shape and there is some corrosion on the blade.

Thus we have a typical ‘light sword,’ circa 1770, with connections to the American Revolution. In its present condition and from the photos alone I would place a conservative value of between $750 to $1000. This would however increase with whatever substantiated history may be attached to it.

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