Charge of the Light Brigade, Balaklava, 1854

Jim McDougall · 6th January 2021, 05:52 PM

Thank you Will!
That is interesting on this curious blade, and perhaps that an officer might have had this fabricated as a fighting sword makes sense. That would explain the absence of 'ears' , but the acceptance marks on the blade (which do not typically appear on officers sword blades) threw me off.

The straight blade intended as a fighting sword also makes sense as the conflict of thrust vs. cut had been ongoing since the late 18th c. I'm sure there were officers who were proponents of the thrust who might have followed this course.

Interesting note on the M1796 light cavalry sabers being present at Balaklava.
This has been a bit of a conundrum to me as I had thought these were swords presented to survivors of the charge at later events with commemorative marked plates on them.
The 1796 had remained is use in India, and with the difficulties with both the M1821 and 1853 forms it does seem feasible some of these might have prevailed with some of the men. I am not sure if this would be possible with 'other ranks' as they had 'issued' rack weapons typically.

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6th January 2021, 05:52 PM	#5
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,292	Thank you Will! That is interesting on this curious blade, and perhaps that an officer might have had this fabricated as a fighting sword makes sense. That would explain the absence of 'ears' , but the acceptance marks on the blade (which do not typically appear on officers sword blades) threw me off. The straight blade intended as a fighting sword also makes sense as the conflict of thrust vs. cut had been ongoing since the late 18th c. I'm sure there were officers who were proponents of the thrust who might have followed this course. Interesting note on the M1796 light cavalry sabers being present at Balaklava. This has been a bit of a conundrum to me as I had thought these were swords presented to survivors of the charge at later events with commemorative marked plates on them. The 1796 had remained is use in India, and with the difficulties with both the M1821 and 1853 forms it does seem feasible some of these might have prevailed with some of the men. I am not sure if this would be possible with 'other ranks' as they had 'issued' rack weapons typically.