Fine 1796 Pattern Blue And Gilt Light Cavalry Sabre With Pre Regulation Hilt By Osborn And Gunby WithFine 1796 Pattern Blue And Gilt Light Cavalry Sabre With Pre Regulation Hilt By Osborn And Gunby With Scabbard Swords

~ Fine 1796 Pattern Blue And Gilt Light Cavalry Sabre With Pre Regulation Hilt By Osborn And Gunby With Scabbard ~

The blade has a single wide fuller to 80% of its length on both sides.

The blue and gilt work is exceptional, its bears a stand of arms to both sides with the sword smiths name within the scroll work.

The gilt finished scabbard has two suspension rings and figure of eight scrolls to one side.

The guard bears pieced foliage between two bars.

~ Osborn And Gunby ~

Henry Osborn was a Birmingham based manufacturer who produced a wide variety of military goods. Although best known for his swords, and the Pattern 1796 that he helped design, Osborn(e) was also listed as a Gun maker, silversmith, accouterment maker and hilt maker as well as a sword and dirk cutler. Osborn was born in 1756 and was apparently beginning to serve his apprenticeship to a master sword cutler by 1765, which he appears to have completed around 1784. In 1785, Osborn first appears in the Birmingham directories as a sword cutler, working in Brookhouse Lane, and by 1800 is also operating a manufactory on Bordesley Street, known as the Bordesley Street Mills. In 1802, Osborn opened a retail outlet in London at 82 Pall Mall Street. Around 1806, he partnered with John Gunby and from about 1806-1820 the business operated as Osborn & Gunby. In 1807, the London operation was renamed as well and by 1808 the Pall Mall retail outlet was also listed in the directories as Osborn & Gunby. In 1819, the London retail shop moved to 48 Thames Street, where it would remain until its closure in 1838. The Osborn & Gunby partnership ended between 1820 and 1821 and by 1821 Osborn was again listed as the sole operator of his Birmingham and London establishments. In 1827, Henry Osborn died, and his son Thomas and widow Hannah took over the business, continuing to run it under the Henry Osborn name. In 1838, the London retail location was closed, and the Birmingham location was renamed for Thomas Osborn, under whose guidance it continued until 1849. During his life Henry Osborn was appointed Sword Cutler & Accouterment Maker to His Majesty the King and His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales. He was also a founding member of the Loyal Birmingham Light Horse Volunteers, who served as a yeomanry home guard cavalry regiment during the darkest times of a potential French invasion of England, from 1797-1802. Among the other founders of the unit were several notable Birmingham arms makers of the period, including gunmakers & cutlers Thomas Ketland, JamesWooley & William Sargant.

~ Condition ~

The guard is firm and solidly in place. The bluing and gilt are near perfect with minimal loss. The blades edge is free from nicks. The grip has had a scarfed in repair with a small crack adjacent to it. The scabbard is free from dents and dings to the metal work, there is some lose to the gilt. The leather work is excellent too, some aged surface crackling and a small stitched repair to the top. The sabre fits smoothly into the scabbard.

~ Dimensions ~

The sabre is 88 cm (34 inches) in total length with a 76 cm (30 inches) blade.

~ Postage ~

UK postage is £20, international at cost or the sabre can be purchased in our shop.

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