A Most Scarce & Excellent Condition, Original Napoleonic Wars Issue Prussian 1811 'Blucher' Pattern Sabre, In Its Original Matching Scabbard, Regimentally Marked For the Magdeburgisches Jäger-Bataillon Made by Napoleonic Maker, S&K

Especially rare, in that 98% of all Prussian 1811 'Blucher' pattern sabres were likely made post Waterloo or even considerably later. Plus, to have the regimental markings matching on the hilt and scabbard, with the Napoleonic maker's mark present, makes this a truly exceptional, earliest made example of these heavy and robust swords of our Prussian allies at Waterloo.

This sabre was made in circa 1811, this is because of the S K (Schnitzler & Kirschbaum) maker's mark to the blade. The sabre was stamped sabre number 6 of squadron 2 of the 5th Magdeburgisches Jäger-Bataillon, the markings to the cross guard and scabbard are "J. M. V. 2. 6". The sabre stayed in service with the Prussian army after Waterloo, with its original, matching regimental numbered scabbard. Wilhelm Bernhard Samuel Kirschbaum and Phillip Jacob Wilhelm Schnitzler set up "Schnitzler & Kirschbaum" in 1797, and supplied swords to both the Consular, Imperial French and Prussia from 1808. Although official registration of the partnership for their French sabre supplies, was, apparently, in 1808. It is also certainly feasible that they were in the business of sword making a few years before they were registered. Picture in the gallery of the Jagers of the (Magdeburgisches) Jager Battalion, in 1815.
After losing to Napoleon in 1806 the Treaty of Tilsit neutered the Prussian army, allowing the once proud country only a tiny standing army. Despite ingenious efforts to circumvent the wording of the treaty, the Prussian army that mustered to fight in the Hundred Days campaign was mostly made from volunteer Landwehr militia (literally, country defenders).

Ill-equipped and poorly trained, the Landwehr infantry and cavalry regiments made up for this deficit with sheer numbers and fierce determination. Regardless of the Landwehr quality, the elite jäger (hunter) units still skirmish ahead, protecting them and harrying the enemy.

In the War of the Sixth Coalition that followed, the Jäger of the various armies performed well against Napoleon's forces, and Prussian Jäger played a significant role in the battles of the Waterloo campaign, holding off Grouchy's corps at the Battle of Wavre.

After Napoleon entered Paris and started the Hundred Days campaign, King William II of Prussia recalled Blücher from his retirement in Silesia and set him the task of facing down the upstart Frenchman. He was placed in command of the Army of the Lower Rhine and quickly marched west to join the Anglo-Dutch allies, hoping to consolidate their forces.

Unfortunately, the Prussian army was hastily assembled and pressed into the field ill-equipped. Over a third of the force was Landwehr (militia), some of which marched barefoot to war. At the Battle of Ligny, the Prussian army faced Napoleon directly and was roundly beaten, Blücher himself being trapped and injured under his dead horse for hours. The Battle of Waterloo provided a chance at redemption.
Smartly dressed in sombre dark uniforms the ranked columns of Prussian infantry marched steadily to face Napoleon. Even after suffering a bitter defeat Ligny, in the midst of retreat, the disciplined professional soldiers were still able to muster their resolve and turn to England’s aid, falling on Napoleon’s flank at the pivotal moment during the Battle of Waterloo.

Hundreds of men marched and fought in formation, led by able commanders, and supported by the furious roar of 12-pounder artillery batteries. The timing of Prussia’s arrival at Waterloo proved impeccable.
The Allied garrison at the farm at Papelotte was instrumental to delaying Napoleon’s forces during the Battle of Waterloo. Napoleon committed large numbers of troops to the capture or elimination of the site. Though they eventually achieved its capture, the Prussian arrival and the French troops’ general exhaustion prevented any further advance, and around an hour later the site (and La Haye Sainte) were in Prussian hands.

A considerable amount of praise must be heaped upon the Prussians at Waterloo. Blücher kept his promise to Wellington and through sheer determination ensured that Prussian forces arrived to swing the balance in the favour of Britain and her allies.

Thousands of cavalry rode with the Prussian army, forming intimidating walls of charging horse flesh. The Dragoons formed the shock heavy cavalry, pounding the enemy, while the more numerous Hussars acted as the eyes and ears of the divisions. It was brave lance-armed Uhlans that charged to Blücher’s rescue at Ligny. Following behind, ahead of the main army, were the skirmishing Jäger (hunter) light infantry.

While the cavalry ranged, searching for the enemy and attacking targets of opportunity, the 6-pounder horse artillery rapidly moved to a position to lay down fire.

The village of Plancenoit saw bitter hand-to-hand fighting and close-quarters carnage as von Bülow’s Prussian IV Korps entered the fray at Waterloo. This area of the battle is the subject of one of the scenarios in the Epic Battles

Code: 25410