Mameluke Sabre, Ivory Grip

A sabre with interesting history. A very nice custom cavalry sabre, featuring a one piece ivory grip. The blade is in exceptional condition, and is very light and well balanced. Although shorter than some 1796s, this would have most definitely been an officer's custom fighting weapon, inspired by the mameluke fashion of the time. This probably dates between the early Victorian period and the Indian Mutiny.

This sword was previously offered for sale at the famous 1994 Stokesay Court auction organised by Sotherby's.

Here is the sword in the auction catalogue, although not matching with the description of sword 1230. Here is a photo of the sword with its original broken sword knot.

The most likely explanation is that the photo was mislabeled, and this sword was, in fact, lot 1233. Other than the plate for "R Johnston Bland & Foster", the description seems to match perfectly. Perhaps the plate was faded, and the previous owner polished it too hard.

All the surrounding lots seem to have belonged to Lt. General Sir William Russell, 2nd Bt. (1822 - 1892) of the 7th Hussars. The style of the sword fits, considering his India service.

Regardless of its dubious provenance, the sword is a very good condition 1796 Mameluke, and is only being sold as such. It made £575 at auction in 1994, which adjusted for inflation and inclusive of the buyer's premium, would be about £1,500 today.

The ivory declaration number is K6VEZNB9.