
An extremely rare cavalry backsword for a trooper of the Fitzjames Regiment Of Irish horse in the service of Francemid-18th century
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An extremely rare cavalry backsword for a trooper of the Fitzjames Regiment Of Irish horse in the service of France
mid-18th century
mid-18th century
Condition: Blade showing areas of spotting/pitting, the upper 21 inches from the point a professional restoration. Hilt with scattered marks.
See Illustration
Footnotes
One of the most famous regiments of the 'Wild Geese', Irishman who fled British rule in Ireland in the 17th and 18th century and enlisted in the armies of many European countries. There were a number of Irish infantry regiments in the French service but Fitzjames Horse was the only cavalry regiment.
The Fitzjames regiment of Irish Horse was formed in France in 1698. It fought at Fontenoy and in the following year was sent to Scotland to serve with the army of Charles Stuart, the Young Pretender. Three troops landed at Aberdeen in February 1746 to an enthusiastic welcome. The squadron fought at Culloden, Captain Shee's troop providing the escort for Prince Charles. Following the battle, and having escorted the Prince from the field, Shee's troop was dismissed with orders to surrender to the Duke of Cumberland. Following the defeat of the French at the Battle of Wilhelmsthal the regiment was disbanded on 21 December 1762. For a full account of the regiment see Russell V. Steele, 'Fitzjames's Regiment Of Horse Of The Irish Brigade In The French Service', The Irish Sword, The Journal Of The Military History Society Of Ireland, vol. II, no. 7, Winter 1955, pp. 188-194