British 1796 Pattern Heavy Cavalry Trooper's Sword - F Troop Scots Greys

British 1796 Pattern Heavy Cavalry Trooper’s Sword – F Troop Scots Greys – Waterloo

Here is a unique and historic British 1796 Pattern Heavy Cavalry Trooper’s Sword carried by a trooper from F Troop, the Scots Greys, a regiment that became famous at the battle of Waterloo when Sergeant Ewart of F Troop, won the French eagle.

Here is a description of how Sergeant Ewart of F Troop won the eagle:

At Waterloo, the Greys were part of the Union Brigade, a formation of heavy cavalry regiments held in reserve by Wellington. In the line of battle, General Thomas Picton’s 5th Division was held in reserve, on the right of the Allied line, behind the Dutch-Belgian 2nd Division. The 5th contained a number of experienced veteran units from the Peninsular War, including the 92nd Foot (Gordon Highlanders).

After a heavy exchange of fire, the Belgians were forced to fall back to the far side of the ridge on which they were stationed, and the 5th Division moved forward over the crest of the ridge to hold the line. After the heavy exchange of fire continued, with the 5th holding firm, it was decided that the division should charge to break up the French columns; the cavalry held in reserve were brought forward, and passed through the ranks of the infantry and into action.

At this point, the Gordon Highlanders were exchanging fire with the 1st Battalion of the 45th, which was deploying around thirty yards to their front. The Greys quickly and unexpectedly passed through the infantry, moved forward the short distance between the lines, and broke through to the centre of the French infantry as it was forming into a defensive line. In the confusion that followed, the 45th was effectively broken as an organised unit, and the eagle it carried was quickly seized by Sergeant Ewart, in close fighting with a number of Frenchmen.

“One made a thrust at my groin, I parried him off and cut him down through the head. A lancer came at me – I threw the lance off by my right side and cut him through the chin and upwards through the teeth. Next, a foot soldier fired at me and then charged me with his bayonet, which I also had the good luck to parry, and then I cut him down through the head”.

To prevent it being recaptured, he was ordered to take it to safety; he did, but paused for some time overlooking the battlefield before finally carrying the trophy to Brussels. Whilst the brigade had not taken significant losses, they were disorganised, and carried forward to attack French artillery; charged by French cavalry in turn, they took heavy losses, and played no further part in the battle.

This sword came out of a house in Edinburgh and appears to have been untouched since the battle! It is of standard 1796 pattern with langets removed but retaining its original hatchet point – many of these swords had their blades made into spear points. Is engraved to the knucklebow – 2 Ds F No 20.

It goes without saying that this is a very historic and important sword and with restoration could be the centrepiece and talking point of any British Napoleonic collection. A similar sword from F Troop was sold in England not long ago for £5000.00 and that example came without a scabbard.

Condition of the Sword

Important Note: In need of comprehensive restoration, particularly the grip – little loose but a professional restoration of the grip would transform this sword. Blade hilt and scabbard need cleaning but they should clean up well.