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I offer for sale an exceptionally rare and most sought after pattern (1788) of British light cavalry sword, complete with it's original scabbard, by one of England's premier maker's/retailers of Georgian British cavalry swords - Durs Egg of the Haymarket and Cove, London. This wonderful and intact original light cavalry sword is clearly stamped "EGG" and engraved "Sohlingen" on the spine of the blade at the forte, and both sides of the blade have been beautifully engraved with cross hatching; florals swags; stands of arms; flags; an Ottoman Turk; cabalistic writing; a 'Sun in splendour' and two different styles of Hussar on horseback. The engravings cover half way up the blade length both sides, which may have originally been blued and gilded. The virtually straight blade (which measures an impressive 35 3/4 inches in length and 1 1/2 inches in width at the forte), only curves towards the end section, and is cut with a double fuller. A narrow fuller runs along the spine edge to a distance 10 inches from the sword tip, and a broad fuller runs along the center of the blade finishing 5.5 inches short of the tip. Overall, the blade is in good condition with only some darkening here and there with spots of black oxidization and a small area of pitting (as shown in the photographs). There are a few sword to sword strike notches to the blade edge at the center of percussion where you would expect them to occur in live steel combat and possibly the extreme blade tip is missing. A small, short, surface fracture is seen near to the word "Sohlingen" on the spine, but is only on the surface and not affecting the stability of the blade whatsoever. The hilt is the classic 1788 pattern style, with a stirrup shaped knuckle-guard, flat straight quillon with a scrolled finial, flat helmet pommel and back-strap all in iron. The grip has a wooden ribbed core covered with leather, all in good condition. There is just half a millimetre of lateral movement between the blade and the hilt, almost un-noticeable. The sword comes with it's original iron scabbard, which has the usual cut-outs either side, these cut-out sections are usually found covered in fish-skin or leather. This scabbard has leather covered cut-outs. It appears that the iron scabbard has been painted a flat black many years ago and therefore I cannot make out any stamps or markings on it. I have left this black finish 'as is'. Otherwise, the scabbard is in good overall condition with just the usual few dings to the bottom of it, where it bangs against the rider's spurs etc. The sword and scabbard are a good fit together. To find a very scarce 1788 pattern British light cavalry sword (the first British regulation cavalry sword) on the market is hard enough. To find one made for retail by/for Durs Egg with a fine engraved Solingen blade is almost impossible! I am wanting £1,950 for this sword. Provenance: This sword originally formed part of a large collection of swords and flintlock guns previously owned by a well to-do retired Irish military officer many years ago. It has been off the market for decades(?) NB. Durs Egg was born in Switzerland in 1748 and baptised as Urs Christian Egg. The son of Leonz Egg (gunmaker). He was apprenticed as a gunsmith in Solothurn, Switzerland, and also in Paris, before he moved to London in 1772 aged 24 years and he worked for John Twigg (gunmaker), setting up his own business shortly afterwards. He was eventually granted denization (almost full citizenship) in 1791. At some point he changed his name to Durs Egg. From 1778 to 1788 he worked as a quality gunmaker, establishing his own business at 24 Princes Street, Leicester Fields, London and in 1788 moved his gun business address to the Haymarket and Cove, London, from where he also retailed swords of the highest quality to officers and gentry as a favour. He was still there in 1805. Durs Egg eventually became gunsmith and cutler to King George IV and the Prince Regent. His work is thought of as of the highest quality and much prized by collectors.