LK Chen – British 1796 Light Cavalry Saber – Blemished Grade

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.