Gorgeous British Pattern 1796 Infantry Officer's Sword, issued ca. 1797-1801. The hilt is of a classic Eighteenth Century design. A single curved brass bar from the pommel to the hand guard forms the knuckle bow that ends in a small, ornate, curled quillon. The shell or hand guard is rigid and made of brass. The grip is made of wood and is tightly bound with German silver wire. The 32 in. double-edged blade is straight and 1.125 in. wide, marked 'J. J.Runkel Solingen'. The very ornate blade is blued with gold inlay. This process, generally referred to as a 'gold wash', covers approximately one half of the blade. It bears a royal cipher and seal, floral design, etc. Some corrosion has affected the blade, but not as much as is commonly observed. The scabbard is made of black leather and has three brass fittings. The top and middle fitting have suspension rings, and the top mount is also fitted with a brass stud for suspension from a frog. The scabbard is engraved 'Prosser - Charring Cross - London' and was hand-made between 1797 and 1801. This all-leather scabbard is rarely seen intact. The sword is undated, but certainly post-1801 due to the Fleur de Lys appearing in the coat of arms. Overall a very nice example.