22nd Light Dragoon 1796 Officer’s Sword

A 1796 Light Cavalry Officer’s sword 37 ½” overall. 33” curved blade with broad fuller, engraved with crown GR above a figure of Justice, trophy of arms, the reverse with pre 1800 royal coat of arms above a strung bugle and ‘22 LD’. Steel stirrup hilt, leather covered grip with twisted wire. In its original scabbard maker marked Tho’s Gill London in an oval. note old woodworm to grip but all solid: Notes William, Viscount Feilding raised the next regiment to use the title 22nd (Light) Dragoons; this regiment lasted slightly longer, being disbanded in 1802 with the onset of peace. However, the 25th Dragoons (raised for service in India by F E Gwyn on 9 March 1794) was renumbered 22nd (Light) Dragoons in that year. This 22nd (Light) Dragoons regiment served throughout the Napoleonic Wars, which began in 1805. It served in India and in the British Invasion of Java (1811), where it remained until 1813. The regiment was disbanded in 1820.