Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Light Troop 5th Royal Irish Dragoons, a very rare example, being a 1788 Pattern Light Cavalry Trooper’s Sword. The 90cm slightly curved blade with broad fuller and spear point, engraved on one side only with ‘5’ over script ‘LD’. Standard pattern steel cross piece langets and ‘D’ shaped hand guard, the shaped wooden grip with remains of fish skin binding (wire lacking); together with its correct pattern steel scabbard, the blade stained overall, wooden grip with worming, the scabbard with some dents £800-£1,000

Note: In times of war, the heavy cavalry regiments of the British Army added a Troop of Light Cavalry to their complement to act as scouts skirmishers etc. Dressed and equipped as Light Cavalry. The 5th Royal Irish Dragoons, a famous regiment from Marlborough’s time were in 1798, the subject of a plot by the rank and file to kill the officers and Senior NCOs. Thankfully this was aborted but after much discussion and many appeals, the King in November 1799 ordered the regiment to be struck from the Order of Battle and to be disbanded. The officers and Senior NCOs were guaranteed further service in HM forces.

Note: Specialist Shipping will be required for this lot.