Please Note: The swords which have been marked and sold at discount as Blemished typically have spots of rust or pitting on the scabbard which is the most common reason they are marked as blemished. The scabbards have a coating on them that makes the removal of this blemish with scuff pads to require the removal of the entire clear surface coat in order to equalize / homogenize the finish and polish of the scabbard.
LK Chen’s reproduction of the British 1796 Light Cavalry Saber has taken great effort into not only reproducing the dimensions of historical originals, but also the weight, balance and handling characteristics to ensure that it is an excellent saber for those who wish to try out the legendary cutting abilities of this iconic saber first hand. One of the most celebrated military swords of all time, the 1796 pattern with its Hussar-inspired design and widened “hatchet” tip was famous for swift and especially powerfully decisive strokes from horseback. The sword was used by the Light Dragoons, Hussars and King’s German Legion Light Cavalry of the Napoleonic wars. It was designed by John Gaspard Le Marchant who was one of the finest cavalrymen of the day who had a great dislike for the heavy and long swords used by his expeditionary forces and their combat experiences during the French Revolutionary War. Not limited to the British, the successful design was famously adopted by the Prussians, as well as the Spanish, Portuguese and United States Dragoons during the War of 1812.
The well-tempered blade of this reproduction has a sharpened blade of GB 60Si2MnA High Carbon Manganese Spring Steel with a 53 to 55 HRc hardness and is very thick at the base for durability and general rigidity, as well as quite thinned in distal taper along the main cutting portion of the blade to not only give it a balance that feels responsive and great in the hand, but also ensures that it can pass through the target with minimal drag and resistance. The guard is crafted from stainless steel and the grip is wood with a overlaid wrap of tight leather. The blade is peened into the hilt for an altogether robust constuction. The sword is matched with a stainless steel scabbard with steel hanging rings to complete the sword.
Please Note: The swords which have been marked and sold at discount as Blemished typically have spots of rust or pitting on the scabbard which is the most common reason they are marked as blemished. The scabbards have a coating on them that makes the removal of this blemish with scuff pads to require the removal of the entire clear surface coat in order to equalize / homogenize the finish and polish of the scabbard.
Shipping $8 - $45 in the lower 48 states, excluding PO/APO. Shipping calculated at checkout.
Please Note: The swords which have been marked and sold at discount as Blemished typically have spots of rust or pitting on the scabbard which is the most common reason they are marked as blemished. The scabbards have a coating on them that makes the removal of this blemish with scuff pads to require the removal of the entire clear surface coat in order to equalize / homogenize the finish and polish of the scabbard.
LK Chen’s reproduction of the British 1796 Ligh
| Overall Length | 36 3/4" |
| Blade Length | 31 3/8" |
| Weight | 1 lb 15.5 oz |
| Edge | Very Sharp |
| Width | 36 mm |
| Thickness | 8 mm - 2.2 mm |
| Pommel | Peened |
| P.O.B. | 5 1/4" |
| Grip Length | 3 7/8" |
| Blade | [GB 60Si2MnA High Carbon Manganese Spring Steel] |
| Class | Battle Ready |
| Culture | British |
| Manufacturer | Lk Chen |
| Country of Origin | China |
Only logged in customers who have purchased this product may leave a review.
Newarcher (verified owner) –
I ordered a blemished and recieved a blemished, I recieved an awsome blemished, not as sharp as my saxonry German rapier, nor as well finished but it is of quality build, well balanced and impressive, the scabbard could have been better polished and the hand guard certainly could have been better finished, the grip and balance makes sword an extension of you arm, the blade is perfect in build, not wippy,better than I expected, I will sharpen slightly and I will slice some bottles, I dont usually do the cut tests but is sword says cut many and more. It’s the best feeling one hand sword I have, you know this sword will lop it off. I know why the French hated it and the British loved it, and other countries used it. Of available 5 stars it’s a ten, even blemished.
Jeffrey Sovelove (verified owner) –
I already have the Cold Steel version, which is basically sledge hammer. Even though the LK Chen version is almost the same weight, it’s 100x better. The back edge is much thinner and the distal taper is much more pronounced and much closer to an original version. When you swing it this sword just feels right. It’s easy to control and just feels like it wants to lop something off. It was terrifyingly sharp right out of the box. The flex is perfect and will go through just about anything in its way. For this price point it’s amazing!
Katelyn O’Brien (verified owner) –
Literally the best cutting sword I own by far. Besides the light weight of under 2 lbs, it is so perfectly balanced, it handles like nothing else I’ve ever cut with especially for a blade designed for warfare that can cut through a LOT.
I’ve handled the Cold Steel through a friend which is much more blade heavy, and another friend has the Windlass, but this looks and feels better, comes razor sharp, and this is also the only version in which the steel scabbard accurately comes with a wood core for protecting the blade.
It is worth every extra penny to get the best made version of this sword, and I feel likely to save money for buying my next cutting sword from LK Chen as well.
I teach broadsword & sabre fencing in HEMA with Ludus Ferocia, and am really into Napoleonic swords, having been raised by my dad on shows like Sharpe and Hornblower, and also done some historical reenactment. This is by far the best replica on the market of an absolutely iconic Napoleonic sabre.