Private Purchase Spanish M1895 Cavalry Sabre

[aussiesoldier]

Spanish Sabre, Toledo Spain, Pattern 1895, dated 1897 by Fabrica de Toledo, Spain. This sabre is an original Spanish-American War era Spanish production Modelo 1895. It was made as a private and unauthorised order by an officer with the initials, CB, which he had engraved on the blade. Accordingly, it is not etched with the standard issue Artilleria Fabrica De Toledo arsenal mark, nor a serial number.  He served in the artillery and has had the guard engraved with crossed cannon. It is an early, dated Third Cuban War of Independence era (1895-98) production Model 1895 sword and these are very scarce in any condition. Being a cavalry model for an artillery officer, it is even rarer. Most M1895's available on the market nowadays, being the post-war, undated specimens with the plain Fabrica de Toledo roll mark.

The Model 1895 was the cavalry sabre issued to Spanish cavalry units during the Spanish-American war, and was very popular with officers as a dress sword but was widely modified on battlefronts as it was found to be too light for combat. It was replaced by a much more substantial cavalry sword, the Modelo 1907, which became one of the inspirations for the U.S. Patton Calvary Sabre.

The Modelo 1895 represents a transitional period in cavalry sword design where the curved slashing swords of the Napoleonic period moved towards a straight lance like blade. Its grip, shaped to the human hand was a unique innovation for its time. The Modelo 1895 retains a slight curve while it has been lengthened from previous models. The blade is not flat, it has some hollowing, but no fuller. This sabre is stamped 1897, but follows the 1885 pattern.This sabre and scabbard measure 37 3/4 inches in length, the blade length is 30 1/2 inches. The guard is approximately 3 1/2 wide. 

Fabrica de Toledo = Made in Toledo (Spain), evidence of private order rather than the government issue Artilleria arsenal mark, and the coat of arms of Spain ( the three-towered castle for the Kingdom of Castile).

The guard is decorated with crossed cannon of the Artillery Corp within a floral border, similar in design to the centre illustration. These were unauthorised private orders and purchases but not uncommon. The bladed is etched with the initials of the officer who ordered the sword (CB) as a private purchase.

[aussiesoldier]

The most memorable action of the Spanish cavalry equipped with 1895 cavalry swords is best remembered for the three charges that the 4th Squadron of 21st Regiment of Cazadores, called "Of Alfonso XII", had made on September 20th 1909 in Taxdirt, place in the Rif, near Melilla, after the Spanish defeat of the Barranco del Lobo, during the war with Morocco.

That day, an infantry brigade which did not participate in the main action was harassed by 1500 "Moors" of the Kabyle of Beni Sychar. One of the battalions of the brigade, namely "Catalonia", began to retreat under heavy harassment from the Rif, putting him in a difficult situation.

General Tovar commanding the force, chose to send, to help the Spanish battalion, the only force available: a Squadron Cavalry from the Regiment "Alfonso XII". In front of the 80 riders, stood, the assistant of General Tovar, Lt. Col. José Cavalcanti, who sent three consecutive charges against the 1500 tribesmen, neglecting the numerical difference.

The action of the Spanish cavalry, completely unexpected by the enemy, was a complete success because it allowed the withdrawal of the infantry and forced to yield the Rif entire line.

The third charge involved only 20 riders, because the rest of the unit had fallen, dismantled or pursuing the enemy. Casualties of the "Alfonso XII" squad were 25 men and for the courage shown in battle, both Cavalcanti as the banner of the Regiment received the Laureate Cross of San Fernando, the Spanish highest military decoration.

[Brian Wolfe]

A great find and the additional history together with the sabre makes this an exceptionally informative and interesting post.

I tend to think the last Spanish sabre issued was a far better sword than either the British or the American issues as far as being a good all all around sword.

 

Regards

Brian