swords

[mac mcconnell]

I recently picked up a sword described as cavalry which now turns out to be the 1897 infantry Officers sword.................ooooooooops. Someone mentioned that the light cavalry may have used this sword but I can find no proof and why would they ?. The only thing I can think of is may be on long term dismounted operations a shorter sword would be preferred ?. Cav being cav however I cant see them wanting to use anything that isn't cav .
has any one got any pictures or info on cavalry using the 1897 pattern infantry sword ?

Best Mac

[Pembird]

Cavalry almost exclusively used the 1912 officers sword and other ranks used the 1908 pattern. These are easily distinguishable by the large bowl and angled grip with thumb indentation which meant it could be held horizontally when charging.

[mac mcconnell]

yes agreed I am looking at the time between 1896 -1912. I know there's the 1896 pattern just wondering if there would be a reason for the light cav to change as some one suggested on another forum but couldn't give me any information.
Best Mac

[Frank Kelley]

Why indeed, I suppose a Cavalry officer, who paid for all he carried, might have had one, in particular, if he had transferred, do you actually know the identity of the original owner.

Originally Posted by mac mcconnell

I recently picked up a sword described as cavalry which now turns out to be the 1897 infantry Officers sword.................ooooooooops. Someone mentioned that the light cavalry may have used this sword but I can find no proof and why would they ?. The only thing I can think of is may be on long term dismounted operations a shorter sword would be preferred ?. Cav being cav however I cant see them wanting to use anything that isn't cav .
has any one got any pictures or info on cavalry using the 1897 pattern infantry sword ?

Best Mac

[Lancer 17]

Hi Mac

If you have a look at the the seated photo of my Relo, William G he is holding an Officers Light Cav 1821 sword, you can see the top of the hilt and its the same as the one I got a few weeks back, sorry I cant help with the later issues but I cant see a Cav officer lowering himself and be seen wearing, of all things, an Infantry sword !

Regards

Phil.

[mac mcconnell]

Phil and Frank
Lesson learnt I am now much wiser on swords and will not impulse buy. As we know no self respecting Cavalry Officer would use an infantry blade there was some confusion on another site but we cleared it up.
Spoke to the place were I got it today was told nothing they can do I had seen the pictures. The description is what they were given by the vendor .........which begs the question why do you have a military Specialist identify articles in the first place I would have thought it would have been an easy spot as the final pattern infantry sword that has been used from 1897 until today . A little disappointed at the nothing we can do I used my credit card can I use them to get a refund ?. I guess its all in the terms and conditions

Mac

[Malcolm Davey]

I have a sword thought it was Infantry can some one show a Cavalry sword.
Cheers

[Lancer 17]

Hey Mac,

Museum tomorrow but I will send you some scans from Swords of the British Army by Brian Robson which is just about the Bible on Swords . If you can get your hands on one you want pages 14 to 94 for OR's and officers swords.

Id hate you to waste your money or be miss led again.

Regards

Phil.

[Malcolm Davey]

I picked this Sword up today I think its Oxfordshire Yeomanry Cavalry but I dont know what the other letter and I think number 11 mean.
Can anyone shed some light on it and what year pattern is it please

[GriffMJ]

The #11 could be just the number within the Troop stores? Its an 1853 pattern ...

[Malcolm Davey]

Cheers Griff for the info a great help.

[Lancer 17]

G'day Malc.

Ive checked Swords of the British Army by Brian Robson which is about the Bible on British Army Swords. The sword is an 1853 Cavalry Troopers sword, with a 3 bar hilt and flat slab sided 2 piece leather grip that is riveted in place with a metal scabbard with 2 loose rings. The F 11 is probably a rack number where it hangs in the armoury.

Hope that this helps.

Regards

Phil.

[Malcolm Davey]

Cheers Phil for the info and title of the book which i have now purchased a copy of.
Malc