Portugese M 1878 Light Cavalry troopers sword by F.A..

Portugese M 1878 Light Cavalry troopers sword. Superb curved fullered bright finished blade with no markings. Intact leather washer. Beautiful bright finished steel hilt with a hand guard and two side bars. Sword knot slit in top. Back of the hilt with "ears"and a dove head pommel. Excellent wooden grip covered with ray skin and an intact silver twisted wire winding. Top of the hilt is maker marked: F.A. (=Fabrica de Armas) over 1897 over serial number 6944. 
Excellent bright finished bright polished steel scabbard with a single loose hanging ring. Ring band is maker marked A.E. (=Arsenal de Exercito) and reverse side of the ring band is marked AE 658
Scabbard with a single dent only and some small user spurs. It is missing its throat screws.

This sword is like a high quality version of the British M 1821 L.C. troopers sword and it was adopted by Portugal in 1878. A very nice example. Hard to find in this condition!