A 1796 Heavy Cavalry Troopers Sword.
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39” overall, 4” straight fullered blade, hatchet point. Signed on the back edge ‘J. J Runkel, Sohlingen’. Steel disk hilt, langets removed, leather covered wooden grip. Regimentally marked to the Second Dragoon Guards on knucklebow. Lacking scabbard.
Circa 1800 to 1808.
Sword in quite good condition.
After participating in Britain’s unsuccessful campaign in Flanders in 1794, the Scots Greys returned to home station and only returned to the Continent in the spring of 1815, when they joined Wellington’s army facing Napoleon. The regiment became part of the Union Brigade, commanded by Major General Ponsonby, so named because it consisted of British (Royals), Scottish (Scots Greys) and Irish (6th Inniskilling Dragoons) regiments. The Scots Greys gained immortal fame in the charge of the Union Brigade that smashed the main French infantry attack by General d’Erlon’s Corps, but this triumph came at a high price – 102 dead and 97 wounded. During this charge, Sergeant Charles Ewert of the Scots Greys captured the eagle of the 45th Regiment. Despite their heavy losses the Scots Greys remained in action for the rest of the battle, carrying out several smaller chargers late in the day.