WHITE WEAPONS. AN XI model light cavalry sabre, brass mounting, three-prong hilt stamped with the controllers' markings, long-tailed skullcap and auricles, wooden fuse sheathed in basane, curved blade with hollow sides marked on the back: "DAWES Birmn", thick steel war scabbard with two curved brads, asymmetrical iron stinger, period tie, modern fodder rope. L: 95.5 cm, blade: 81.5 cm. One fuse olive to be reattached. ABE This composite sabre consists of a French guard, blade and scabbard from an English light cavalry sabre model 1796, many of which were made by DAWES in Birmingham. The assembly appears to be from the period, but was it an English or French initiative? We will never know, but the fact remains that this sabre is well-balanced and makes a formidable cavalry war tool. Several identical examples are known to exist in collections.