1853 Pattern Universal Cavalry Troopers Sword To The 11th Hussars

41” overall, 35.5” slightly curved spear pointed blade with a broad fuller. Liège inspector’s marks on the blade. Three bar iron guard marked 18 72, 11 H and 256, checkered leather grip slabs in its original iron scabbard with two suspension rings.

The sword and scabbard are in excellent condition. The blade has been service sharpened for two thirds of its length and both the back of the blade and the cutting edge have various nicks and clear signs of use.

Circa 1854

At the beginning of 1854 demand for the new pattern of cavalry sword overwhelmed suppliers in Britain. The Government turned to manufacturers in Solingen to help with the increased demand and ordered large amounts of the new 1853 pattern swords which were then inspected by British inspectors in Liège and marked with the letter L. It’s very likely this sword is one of those early examples which equipped cavalry regiments then embarking for the Crimean War, in this case the 11th Hussars (Prince Albert’s Own).
It is not possible to know exactly how many cavalry regiments had the 1853 pattern sword in the Crimea in October 1854 but it is known the 11th Hussars and the 2nd Dragoons were at least partially armed with the new sword.

Please see

Richard Dellar, The British Cavalry Sword 1788-1912 page 136-137

Brian Robson, Swords Of The British Army pages 28-32