Unmarked P1796 L.C. Troopers Sabre

[Norman McCormick]

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

It seems that in this period, and later, many swords purchased by the EIC were of course not inspected nor marked by the Tower. As far as I have known, swords were not marked by the Company, and as David Harding ("Small Arms of the East India Company") told me some years ago, 'swords were NOT marked in any way by the EIC'.

The only marks were the familiar 'bale marks' (the quartered heart with VEIC) as used on goods and firearms (incl. bayonets). .

Hi Jim,
In Richard Dellar's book The British Cavalry Sword 1788-1912 plate 4.10
he shows a blade with an E.I.C. inspection stamp on the blade i.e. a G over the number 4. He also states that the letters A to R were used between 1837 and 1852 the letter G corresponding to 1843-44. This is an E.I.C. pattern 301 sword virtually identical to the P1796 except the fuller is somewhat shorter.
My Regards,
Norman.