During the third quarter of the 18th century, English horsemens swords were produced with a broad spectrum of variations on the straight bladed basket hilt sword. Their inspiration was clearly the swords of the Scots, who were recently defeated at Culloden, still greatly admired as fighters. Economics dictated that most were relatively simple. This example represents the extreme with a hilt any Scot would have been proud to carry. The scrolling side bars with acorn terminals reflect a style evolving in simpler form throughout the English military. The 35 5/8 double fullered blade is nearly prototypical of that adopted for the standard pattern troopers sword in 1788. Neumann illustrates a number of variations, #259.S-275.S, the last of which most closely accords with this example.
