Hanoverian Cavalry Officer’s Sword, c.1830-1837
Slender fullered Damascus steel blade, inscribed “Eisenhauer” on the obverse. Symmetrical iron bar hilt with pierced shell-guards, struck on the obverse with crown/Saxon steed, the reverse crown/“W”, fishskin grip with silver wire wrap and iron grip strip, finger loop. Iron scabbard with two movable suspension rings, attached the remains of a hanger with silver lion head buckles. Length 110 cm.
This is a stunning take on the British “Gothic” hilt which is associated with the Pattern 1822 (and 1845) Infantry Officer’s Sword and the Pattern 1827 Rifle Officer’s Sword. This sword has the a symmetrical guard as opposed to the asymmetrical guard of British “Gothic” hilts, and substitutes Hanoverian emblems of the crowned horse and the crowned W (presumably for for William IV). William was King of the United Kingdom and Hanover.
