In service 'acceptable' modifications to military Sabres.

Richard · 20th August 2010, 07:44 AM

As far as British swords are concerned, one of the most well known modifications is the conversion of the "hatchet" pointed blade of the P1796 heavy cavalry sword to a "spear" point since there is a contemporary account of this by Trooper James Smithies of the 1st Royal Dragoons speaking on the eve of Waterloo:

for the first time ever known in our army the cavalry were ordered to grind the backs of their swords as, so our Captain Clarke* said, we should have to use both sides. It was thought by the men that this order had been given because we had to contend with a large number of French Cuirassiers who had steel armour and through this we should have to cut.

* Captain Clarke of course went on to capture the Eagle of the veteran French 105 regiment of the line during the famous charge of the Union brigade.

Below is a sword regimentally marked to the 1st Royal Dragoons with that modification.

Ironically the French cuirassiers were also making exactly the same sort of field modification to their hatchet pointed An XIII swords, a modification officially adopted in 1816.

Richard

kisak · 20th August 2010, 10:26 PM

Regarding the blunt edges being sharpened, I've heard that at least in Sweden,a s swords saw less and less sue in the 19th century, military swords started being delivered and kept dull (cut down on both maintenance needs and accidents I guess) until such a time that they might be needed on the field. They would then have the edge ground on by the regimental armourer or such. Many (most I think) of the m/1893 trooper's sabres in the Swedish market today for example have very coarsely bevelled edges due to this. (I wonder if they were ground up for the feared war of Norwegian independence, WW1, or something else.)

celtan · 11th September 2010, 09:39 PM

I also know of curved cavalry swords "a la turca" having their points rounded, reportedly to avoid them getting snagged and lost, hooked in their last victim. In fact, I own a french M1822 with such modification, but it also has a parabollic blade. _Very curved _

M

Quote:

Originally Posted by kisak

Regarding the blunt edges being sharpened, I've heard that at least in Sweden,a s swords saw less and less sue in the 19th century, military swords started being delivered and kept dull (cut down on both maintenance needs and accidents I guess) until such a time that they might be needed on the field. They would then have the edge ground on by the regimental armourer or such. Many (most I think) of the m/1893 trooper's sabres in the Swedish market today for example have very coarsely bevelled edges due to this. (I wonder if they were ground up for the feared war of Norwegian independence, WW1, or something else.)

20th August 2010, 07:44 AM	#1
Richard Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Aquae Sulis, UK Posts: 46	As far as British swords are concerned, one of the most well known modifications is the conversion of the "hatchet" pointed blade of the P1796 heavy cavalry sword to a "spear" point since there is a contemporary account of this by Trooper James Smithies of the 1st Royal Dragoons speaking on the eve of Waterloo: for the first time ever known in our army the cavalry were ordered to grind the backs of their swords as, so our Captain Clarke* said, we should have to use both sides. It was thought by the men that this order had been given because we had to contend with a large number of French Cuirassiers who had steel armour and through this we should have to cut. * Captain Clarke of course went on to capture the Eagle of the veteran French 105 regiment of the line during the famous charge of the Union brigade. Below is a sword regimentally marked to the 1st Royal Dragoons with that modification. Ironically the French cuirassiers were also making exactly the same sort of field modification to their hatchet pointed An XIII swords, a modification officially adopted in 1816. Richard Attached Images

20th August 2010, 10:26 PM	#2
kisak Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Stockholm Posts: 182	Regarding the blunt edges being sharpened, I've heard that at least in Sweden,a s swords saw less and less sue in the 19th century, military swords started being delivered and kept dull (cut down on both maintenance needs and accidents I guess) until such a time that they might be needed on the field. They would then have the edge ground on by the regimental armourer or such. Many (most I think) of the m/1893 trooper's sabres in the Swedish market today for example have very coarsely bevelled edges due to this. (I wonder if they were ground up for the feared war of Norwegian independence, WW1, or something else.)