NAPOLEONIC WARS ERA**EARLY VARIANT**British 1796 Pattern Infantry Officers Sword with Blade By JJ Runkel Solingen. ED 2597. Sword

An original early example of a British 1796 Pattern Infantry Officer's sword (see page 159 of World Swords by Withers). It has its regulation brass hilt with correct early variant rigid shell guard. Later variants of the 1796 Infantry sword had folding clamshells. It has the correct knuckle bow. urn shaped pommel and quillon finial which are often found to be missing from these swords. It has a wire bound grip, all very tight and undamaged. It has a 32 ¾” long blade with fullers. The spine of the blade is marked by the German manufacturer ‘J.J. Runkel’ and partially visible ‘Solingen’. The blade is etched on both sides. The etchings include ‘Crown GR’ (George Rex), martial and heraldic arms and foliate devices. The blade is undamaged and has just light staining consistent with age. As is common the sword is without scabbard. The price includes UK delivery. ED 2597.