Mervyn Mitton Posted August 15, 2011 Share Posted August 15, 2011 (edited) The British have used a particular style of cavalry sword for many years. The more recent ones have been the 1853 pattern - which had a three bar guard - and from 1864 a bowl style guard with a curved blade. The last type was the 1899, which unlike the earlier ones did not have a Maltese Cross cut into the bowl. The problem with a 'slashing' sword is that the law of physics comes into things - forward momentum of the sword coming down + speed of the horse at a gallop = falling off. During the Boer War this happened many times - the worst occasion being when an entire Troop of 23 men fell off. The Boers must have been very surprised - probably thought it was another 'evil' plan by the Uitlanders ! When the War concluded the British War Office set-up a Royal Commission to look at the problem - and in 1908 their new design was unveiled. Unlike the previous curved swords , this was thin, and pointed - and long. Generally regarded as one of the best balanced swords this was a formidable weapon. Apart from it's fighting abilities it also gave us those popular gymkhana events - tent pegging and collecting the hanging rings. The officers' version was introduced in 1912 and is the same apart from the bowl guard. This one has a Celtic intertwined design - and a better grip. This morning I purchased the sword shown here - I could see the similarities with the 1908 immediately - however, it is obviously not British. There is some wording on the blade and I think I recognise the last word as a Dutch town - it would be nice to have confirmation of this ? I am showing a number of pictures of the sword , together with the 1908 for comparison. The dirt of ages is engrained on the Dutch one - this is prior to a light cleaning. Edited August 15, 2011 by Mervyn Mitton Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mervyn Mitton Posted August 15, 2011 Author Share Posted August 15, 2011 In scabbard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mervyn Mitton Posted August 15, 2011 Author Share Posted August 15, 2011 The blade is not quite as long as the 1908 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mervyn Mitton Posted August 15, 2011 Author Share Posted August 15, 2011 Naming - can't quite read the first word ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mervyn Mitton Posted August 15, 2011 Author Share Posted August 15, 2011 Similar bowl guard - but pierced to make it lighter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mervyn Mitton Posted August 15, 2011 Author Share Posted August 15, 2011 British 1908 is on top Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mervyn Mitton Posted August 15, 2011 Author Share Posted August 15, 2011 British 1908 on left Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mervyn Mitton Posted August 15, 2011 Author Share Posted August 15, 2011 A 'head-on' for the guards. 1908 on left. Note, British has slot for sword knot on top - the other one at lower left. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Odulf Posted August 15, 2011 Share Posted August 15, 2011 The name on the blade is Pauwels, the city is 's-Gravenhage (The Hague) in The Netherlands. See also this very nice website: http://www.sabels.net/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mervyn Mitton Posted August 16, 2011 Author Share Posted August 16, 2011 Thankyou Odin - I thought I recognised the name - however, it is always good to be sure. That was a very interesting link and many of the guards are similar with the cutouts - I could not see this pattern with the thin , long scabbard ? Perhaps it was made for use elsewhere ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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