Horseman's saber. London, England: Francis Thurkle II, 1791. 

A rare, firmly datable example of late 18th-century British officer’s arms, hallmarked in London in 1791 and preserved with an uncommon degree of vibrancy in its blued and gilt-engraved blade. The saber stands as a choice example of Britain’s cutler’s craft on the eve of the Napoleonic wars. 

Fire-blued, 31 1/2 in. single-edged blade with 26 in. stopped fuller and 9 1/2 in. false edge. Overall 36 1/2 in. Complete in leather scabbard. Blade engraved to each side with a panoply of flags, instruments and arms, a golden gilt arc above the ricasso, and small foliate designs. One arc is inscribed "K [?] S". Exterior of guard hallmarked with the sterling silver lion passant, the London crowned leopard, the 1791 date letter of a lowercased Q, and a duty mark. Pommel is also marked with the lion passant. The rectangular grip is shagreen wrapped with silver tape. 

Francis Thurkle II (ca. 1755 - ca. 1801) was a prolific and masterful sword maker who operated independently during the last decade of the 18th century. His iconic "FT" cartouche, which he stamped to precious and non-precious metal hilts alike, appears on both British and United States officers' swords. Following in his father, Francis I's (b. 1725), footsteps, Francis II was declared Master of the Worshipful Company of Cutlers in 1795.

After Francis II's death, the business fell into the hands of his brother, George Moses Thurkle (1768 - 1826). Through the descendants of George, the legacy of Thurkle sword makers was maintained through the end of the 19th century.

Note: This lot cannot be packaged and shipped in-house. Successful bidders winning items marked as being packaged and shipped by a third-party service are responsible for paying the third party directly. We are happy to offer complimentary drop-off service to local third-party packing/shipping companies in Columbus, Ohio.

[Swords, Knives, Bowie Knives, Knife, Blades] [American Revolutionary War, American Revolution, Quasi-War, War of 1812]