Item:
ONAC24MA003

In stock

Original British American Revolution Incredibly Scarce Pattern 1759 Light Dragoon Saber & Scabbard by Nathaniel Jeffries of London

Regular price $9,995.00

Item Description

Original Item. One-of-a-Kind. Light dragoons were established in the British Army in 1756, when a troop was authorized to be raised in each dragoon regiment, with entire regiments being converted or raised as light dragoons beginning in 1759. These light horsemen were to be armed with “a straight cutting sword, 34 in. in the blade, with a light hilt, without a basket" per the original 1756 warrant, but from period iconography of light dragoons from c.1759-1763, it can be established that most were furnished with slotted D-guards and both straight or curved blades. Before 1788, the British had no universal patterns of Cavalry saber, each regiment choosing the style it favored.

With the formation of the new light dragoon regiments in 1759 came the introduction of various hilt and blade forms, as these arms (unlike the firearms, which were issued direct from the Tower Armoury) were privately procured by the colonels of regiments and who purchased as dictated by pocketbook and personal taste, while adhering to the basic guidelines as dictated by the Crown. By the Revolutionary War, the blades had lengthened and there was much variation also in pattern of hilt, although Thomas Hinde (who served in the 21st Light Dragoons or Royal Foresters during the 7 Years' War), described the typical saber as “about 37 inches long in the blade, either crooked or straight according to the regulations of the Regiment” in his book, "The Discipline of the Light Horse" (1778).

This is an extraordinary example of a Pattern 1759 Light Dragoon Saber, which was a noted improvement from the Pattern 1756, with a 36¾” straight blade rather than the previous curved 33”. However, these were not universal patterns, and were chosen by regiments based on the style they personally favored. This example comes with its scarce iron-mounted leather scabbard. The blade is well marked on both sides with:

(CROWN)
GR
IEF
RIS

During this period, the letter “J” was written as “I”, so it is written as IEFRIS (Jeffries). There is some debate as to whether it is spelled Jeffries or Jefferys, but based on historical analysis, we are going to go with Jeffries. In an article titled "An Unusual Sword in the Royal Armouries" by Philip Lankester, it is noted that Jeffries, who worked in the Strand at corner of Villiers Street from 1739-until succeeded by Drury in 1772, in 1759 produced a number of basket hilt swords for the cavalry, several thousand actually, but these were used by the 'heavy cavalry, dragoon regts). During 1759, Jeffries produced 3500 basket hilts for the standard dragoon units, along with many of these Pattern 1759 Light Dragoon Sabers.

Jeffries, who worked in the Strand at corner of Villiers Street from 1739-until succeeded by Drury in 1772, in 1759 produced a number of basket hilt swords for the cavalry, several thousand actually, but these were used by the 'heavy cavalry, dragoon regiments.

The blade is mostly straight, with a very small bend at the tip as shown. The blade shows heavy service-wear along with some small nicks in the blade that could be from sword impact. The markings are fully retained on one side and half-retained on the other.

The hilt of this example is of japanned-iron rather than brass as seen with the Pattern 1756, and bears a lovely silver ribbon & twisted wire-wrapped lacquered-sharkskin grip, with the same stirrup-style guard as found on the Pattern 1756. The lacquering of the sharkskin is an interesting design choice and was done during the period. The sharkskin has held up tremendously with just a few small woodworm-sized holes. The pommel is well-faceted. The hilt has light oxidation spotting but has held up very well overall. The overall length of the saber is 43⅞”. The silver ribbon & twisted wire wrap suggests issue to a non-commissioned officer rather than a trooper.

The only thing more difficult to find than this Pattern of saber is its scabbard, which this example retains fully. The iron-mounted leather scabbard measures 37⅜” long. The throat of the scabbard has a small bit of play, as they often do due to the small piece sticking out of the leather above the knob. The drag is tight to the scabbard, and the heavy stitching on the back is extremely well-retained. The leather shows crazing and some cracking in spots, to be expected from 265+ year old leather. The leather has shrunken a bit over time, so the scabbard does not extend to the final ¾” of the blade. 

A similar example by Jeffries can be found on Page 154 of “Sword & Blades of the American Revolution” by George C. Neumann, although that example is missing its scabbard.

Light Dragoon sabers of this period are truly unheard of in terms of survivability, with the few that are existing being on display in museums or private collections. Here’s an exciting and scarcely seen opportunity to find a lovely maker-marked Revolutionary War Dragoon saber. You likely won’t ever see another of its make or caliber. Comes ready for further research and display.

Specifications:
Blade Length: 36 3/4"
Blade Style: Single Edged Straight Dragoon Saber
Overall length: 43 7/8“
Scabbard Length: 37 3/8”

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