Boer War British Royal Horse Guards Trooper's
Sabre (Sold) |
Victorian 1892 Pattern British Household Cavalry Trooper’s
Sword with period inscription to scabbard that it was taken from
a fallen (killed) soldier during the Boer War.
This RHG trooper's sabre was taken from the fallen (killed) soldier
who carried it at Satenaus AKA Sanna's Post near Bloemfontein, the
site of a bloody Boer War battle which resulted in substantial British
losses yet with a Boer defeat. The Battle of Bloemfontein is testament
to how a British senior officer arriving to take command of a battle
which was being fought well and wisely by the younger acting commanding
officer (using artillery to slowly erode the entrapped Boers), threw
his forces time and time again in suicidal attacks against the then
kings of guerilla warfare. You can read about the Battle of Bloemfontein
with references to Sanna's
Post by Conan-Doyle here.
At the bottom of this page you will find a photo of the worn yet
still visible period inscription on the scabbard "Taken from
dead cavalry soldier at Satenaus Post, Near Bloemfontein OFS 31st
March 1900, Boer War 1899-1900". The 34 inch blade having been
sharpened for battlefield use is in good order as it likely never
found a target Boer soldier to damage itself upon. Maker marked
to Mole, the sword has a number of test marks.
In overall very good order, a few dents to the scabbard, a little
rust patination here and there, the fishskin grip a little worn,
all as you would expect. Marked with the original commissioning
date (May 1894) and the trooper's number of 44 (it may be possible
to ascertain the name of this killed in action household cavalry
trooper), the sword went back to Britain without its holder. Evocative
pieces with 100% provenance like this are exceptionally rare and
this is a definite candidate for a museum piece. Further / full
sized photos available upon request. Item reference number 205.
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