{"product_id":"original-british-victorian-era-indian-army-cavalry-saber-with-scabbard-leather-hanger-by-grindlay-company-of-london","title":"Original British Victorian Era Indian Army Cavalry Saber with Scabbard \u0026 Leather Hanger by Grindlay \u0026 Company of London","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. This is a very attractive Victorian era Indian cavalry saber of the type produced under British influence for service in India, complete with its original scabbard and leather suspension hanger.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe sword follows the characteristic Indian cavalry pattern that developed in the decades following the Indian Mutiny, combining a broad, curved blade reminiscent of the British 1796 Light Cavalry Saber with a more compact guard influenced by the 1821 Light Cavalry pattern.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe hilt shows substantial age and service wear, with heavy oxidation and peppering across the metal surfaces. The ribbed wooden grip remains covered in leather and is in very good condition for its age.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe blade ricasso is crudely stamped:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGRINDLAY \u0026amp; Co.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAGENCY LONDON\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGrindlay \u0026amp; Company was a well established British firm of Army agents and bankers closely associated with travel, commerce, and military service in India.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe business was founded in 1828 as \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLeslie and Grindlay\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, became \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGrindlay, Christian and Matthews\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e in 1839, and adopted the name \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGrindlay \u0026amp; Company\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e in 1843.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe firm provided a wide range of services to British officers and civilians traveling to and serving in India. These included arranging voyages, handling and shipping baggage, managing financial affairs, and supplying equipment and personal goods.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGrindlay maintained offices in London as well as a broad network of agents throughout India, including Calcutta, Bombay, Simla, Delhi, Lahore, Peshawar, and Quetta.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGiven the company’s role in supplying British military personnel and travelers bound for India, it is entirely plausible that swords such as this were retailed or supplied through the firm.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe blade measures approximately \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e35 1\/4 inches long\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e and retains its original leather blade buffer at the guard.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe blade remains mostly bright, with scattered oxidation and some minor nicks along the cutting edge. It is unetched aside from the maker or retailer marking at the ricasso.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOverall length of the sword is approximately \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e41 1\/2 inches\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe accompanying scabbard measures approximately \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e36 1\/2 inches long\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e and is constructed of wood covered in leather. It remains in very good overall condition, though there is some splitting along the seam.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe iron drag remains attached and shows age and oxidation.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe original leather hanger is also still present. The leather remains pliable and in good condition, adding considerably to the completeness and appeal of the set.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis is an excellent Victorian era Indian cavalry saber with strong Anglo-Indian character, desirable Grindlay \u0026amp; Company markings, original scabbard, and surviving leather hanger.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSpecifications:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBlade Length: 35 1\/4 inches\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOverall Length: 41 1\/2 inches\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eScabbard Length: 36 1\/2 inches\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44969372745797,"sku":"ONJR26APMS071","price":695.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/9B86F390-8DF9-4A6E-9ECC-A2A87AD9BEDC.jpg?v=1778095126","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-british-victorian-era-indian-army-cavalry-saber-with-scabbard-leather-hanger-by-grindlay-company-of-london","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}