British Napoleonic P-1796 Light Cavalry Saber of Captain James Wedderburn Webster Original Items

Original Item: One-of-a-kind. This is a classic P-1796 Light Cavalry Saber with hatchet point blade fitted with an ivory grip. The blade is 33″ overall and wider at the tip than at the guard.

This became known as a “hatchet point” and was the subject of a complaint from Napoleon Bonaparte as being too inhumane.

The saber is in fair to good condition and still bears traces of the gilt inlay on the blade of scrolls of leaves and the Royal Cypher of King George III. The scabbard has been long absent. The Ivory grip is very nicely matured in color and has no evidence of wire binding if it ever had it. The engraved inscription on the back strap shows a gouge in the brass but it is totally readable

The most entering aspect of this sword is that the brass single guard and back strap is engraved:

CAPT. WEDDERBURN WEBSTER, 9TH L.Ds.

The 9th Light Dragoons did not participate at The Battle of Waterloo however, this officer

Captain James Wedderburn Webster was one of the two A.D.Cs (Aide de Camps) to Lt. General, Lord HENRY PAGET, EARL OF UXBRIDGE who was second in command under the Duke of Wellington during the battle. Now, there is no way of telling whether this very saber was carried by Captain Wedderburn-Webster during this final campaign but it is exactly the type of sword he would have carried such a day.

Further research tell us that James Wedderburn Webster was quite the London socialite, friend and rival of Byron, notorious lover, champion pedestrian, and partier. His fascinating life can be read about at this link (note that the author attributes hi military service to the 10th Hussars, which is not correct).

http://ghgraham/jameswedderburn1788.html