A&A Custom: 1796 British Pattern Light Cavalry Sabre
Feb 10, 2011 3:56:24 GMT
Post by LittleJP on Feb 10, 2011 3:56:24 GMT
Arms and Armor's 1796 British Pattern Light Cavalry Sabre, based on Cold Steel's model
Introduction
Well, a few months back, I had realized I was most comfortable with single handed swords, due to my prior, if limited fencing experience. So, I've decided to shop around, and decided the 'legendary' cutting power of the 1796 Light sabre was for me.
As most of you know, the only model in production is Cold Steel, and their models tend to be overbuilt, especially for a smallish guy like me. So, I decided to go custom, contacting various smiths. A&A offered to take CS's existing model, and grind it down to original dimensions, which cost a lot less than forging a whole new blade.
After the customary wait, it appears I hit some sort of shipping snag, something about customs letting the box through without the proper paperwork, and my local post office decided to send it back, making me wait another month before I actually received it. Very annoying, though Mr. Johnson was very helpful through all of this. Ah, but when it finally arrived, I had such a stupid grin on my face, I got funny looks all the way back to my car.
After opening the box, I virtually tore though the packaging to get at my new....precious. If I had to be very nitpicky, I'd give a con to the amount of packaging, took me too long to actually be able to look at the sword .
Historical Overview
During the early part of the French Revolutionary War the British Army launched an expeditionary force into France. With the invading army was a young captain of the 2nd Dragoon Guards, serving as a brigade major, John Gaspard Le Marchant. Le Marchant noted the lack of professional skill displayed by the horsemen and the clumsy design of the heavy, over-long swords then in use and decided to do something about it. Among many other things Le Marchant did to improve the cavalry, he designed, in collaboration with the Birmingham sword cutler Henry Osborn, a new sabre. This was adopted by the British Army as the Pattern 1796 Light Cavalry Sabre.
An eastern influence can be detected in the blade form and Le Marchant is recorded as saying that the "blades of the Turks, Mamalukes, Moors and Hungarians [were] preferable to any other". The blade profile is similar to some examples of the Indian tulwar, and expert opinion has suggested that this sword may have contributed to the design of the British sabre. The 1796 sabre had a pronounced curve, making the kind of slashing attacks used in cavalry actions decidedly easier. Even cavalrymen trained to use the thrust, as the French were, in the confusion of a melee often reverted to instinctive hacking, which the 1796 accommodated. Its blade, unlike other European sabres of the period, widened near the point. This affected balance, but made slashes far more brutal; its action in the cut has been compared to a modern bacon slicer. It is said that this vicious design prompted unofficial complaints from French officers, but this is unconfirmed. The blade of the light cavalry sabre was from 32.5 to 33 inches in length and had a single broad fuller on each side. The sabre was lighter and easier to use than its heavy cavalry counterpart, the pattern 1796 Heavy Cavalry Sword, which had a less 'scientific' design. The hilt was of the simple 'stirrup' form with a single knucklebow, so as to be free of unnecessary weight; the intention of this was to make the sabre usable by all cavalrymen, not solely the largest and strongest. In common with the contemporary heavy cavalry sword the iron backpiece of the grip had ears which were riveted through the tang of the blade to give the hilt and blade a very secure connection.
Officers carried fighting swords very similar in form to those of the trooper version, though they tended to be lighter in weight and show evidence of higher levels of finish and workmanship. Officers stationed in India sometimes had the hilts and scabbards of their swords silvered as a protection against the high humidity of the Monsoon season. Unlike the officers of the heavy cavalry, light cavalry officers did not have a pattern dress sword. As a result of this there were many swords made which copied elements of the 1796 pattern design but incorporated a high degree of decoration, such as blue and gilt or frost-etched blades, and gilt hilts. At their most showy, sabres with ivory grips and lion's-head pommels are not unknown. These swords were obviously primarily intended for dress rather than battle.
The mounted swordsmanship training of the British emphasized the cut, at the face for maiming or killing, or at the arms to disable. This left masses of mutilated or disabled troops; the French, in contrast, favoured the thrust which gave cleaner kills. The sword was, however, capable of killing outright as was recorded by George Farmer of the 11th Light Dragoons, who was involved in a skirmish on the Guadiana River in 1811, during the Peninsular War:
Just then a French officer stooping over the body of one of his countrymen, who dropped the instant on his horse's neck, delivered a thrust at poor Harry Wilson's body; and delivered it effectually. I firmly believe that Wilson died on the instant yet, though he felt the sword in its progress, he, with characteristic self-command, kept his eye on the enemy in his front; and, raising himself in his stirrups, let fall upon the Frenchman's head such a blow, that brass and skull parted before it, and the man's head was cloven asunder to the chin. It was the most tremendous blow I ever beheld struck; and both he who gave, and his opponent who received it, dropped dead together. The brass helmet was afterwards examined by order of a French officer, who, as well as myself, was astonished at the exploit; and the cut was found to be as clean as if the sword had gone through a turnip, not so much as a dint being left on either side of it.
The blade is remembered today as one of the best of its time and has been described as the finest cutting sword ever manufactured in quantity. Outside of the cavalry swords with an identical hilt, but a lighter and shorter blade, were adopted as the officer's sword in the famous 95th Rifles, other light infantry regiments and the "flank" companies of line regiments. It was also copied by the Prussians, indeed some Imperial German troops were equipped with almost identical swords into the First World War. The Americans also adopted a pattern which was directly influenced by the British sword.
Initial Impressions
After a quick cleaning up, I had to breath to myself. Wow. This is one of the few times a mirror polish doesn't look gaudy and cheap.
When I actually had the sword in hand, boy, was I ever shocked. Previously, the only sabres I've owned was the Windlass 1860 Light Cavalry, and the Windlass Shamshir, both rather tip heavy and cumbersome weapons. This piece wasn't as shockingly light as say, the H/T longsword, but it seems to emanate a feeling of power projected through the whole piece. It just felt....deadly.
Statistics
I can NOT find my measuring equipment, so I'll just leave this blank for now.
Components
The Blade:
From a stock 1796 from CS, and is ground down to match the originals. Now, I don't own an original to compare it to, but I shall take Craig's word for it. Very well finished, there are a few marks here and there, but I don't really mind, that's nothing compared to what this blade would eventually resemble over its working life, if I start cutting tatami.
There is a very pronounced curve for a Western military sabre, this holds true to the adage that this blade was inspired by the tulwar. The blade is rather thick on the false edge, except towards the end, where it becomes sharp. The forte is relatively dull, and the whole blade is rather wide, giving the sabre a lot of blade presence and cutting power.
The Handle:
Standard Cold Steel fare, no change done by A&A.
Comfortable leather, the metal piece at the back of the handle gets slick when wet, would probably need gloves to use this piece.
The Guard:
Again, also standard cold steel, would make a nice set of brass knuckles in a pinch. Utilitarian, and functional. Personally, I prefer a simple guard like this, speaks of volumes of pragmatism.
The Scabbard:
I decided to go for the leather scabbard, as it would increase the lifetime of the edge, as rubbing against metal seems to kill the edges of my previous sabres. Standard Cold Steel. Doesn't feel like great quality leather, but it's something to hold my sword in.
Handling
Ah, here is where it shines. With some dry handling, I've found I'm able to do most basic fencing techniques, such as disengages, lunges, most parries, and various feints, albeit slower than a sport foil or sabre. However, it feels like this sword needs to be used from horseback, or with more rotation of the hips and body as opposed to most of the fencing techniques described by Hutton.
I can best describe it by comparing it to my Windlass Shamshir, which feels a lot more dead in the hand, it almost feels like I'm wielding a bladed mace, almost as if all the mass is concentrated at the end of the sword. Here, with the British Pattern, the mass seems to be evenly distributed throughout the whole blade, retaining a more forward sense of balance, and significant blade presence. This sword practically begs for some heavy cutting.
For those interested, the blade has very good harmonics, and plays a high E when struck. Yes, I matched it with my piano.
Test Cutting
Alas, I cannot do any test cutting as of yet, it is still significantly below zero outside, and water would freeze too easily. Also, I'm going to try to get my hand on some tatami, I really need heavy targets for this sword.
Conclusions
Overall, my dealings with Craig Johnson were pleasant, and I certainly would do business with him again. Perhaps, in the future, I'd like to go with a more 'Officer' and ceremonial pattern of sabre, but that's a thought I'll ponder by myself. Now, we come to the end of the review, where I try to compress everything into the pros and cons
Pros
Great Handling
Remains faithful to historical accuracy
Beautiful finish that I shall eventually ruin from constant use
Cons
Does not come with horse (I'm reaching here guys....)
Relatively high cost
The Bottom Line
This piece, while expensive was worth every one of the six hundred dollars I've paid for it, money well spent. However, this means it will be out of reach of most of the casual collectors, though the cots are generally shy of what you could get an original for. Would definitely recommend this to anyone looking for a quality reproduction of the famous 1796 British Pattern.
Introduction
Well, a few months back, I had realized I was most comfortable with single handed swords, due to my prior, if limited fencing experience. So, I've decided to shop around, and decided the 'legendary' cutting power of the 1796 Light sabre was for me.
As most of you know, the only model in production is Cold Steel, and their models tend to be overbuilt, especially for a smallish guy like me. So, I decided to go custom, contacting various smiths. A&A offered to take CS's existing model, and grind it down to original dimensions, which cost a lot less than forging a whole new blade.
After the customary wait, it appears I hit some sort of shipping snag, something about customs letting the box through without the proper paperwork, and my local post office decided to send it back, making me wait another month before I actually received it. Very annoying, though Mr. Johnson was very helpful through all of this. Ah, but when it finally arrived, I had such a stupid grin on my face, I got funny looks all the way back to my car.
After opening the box, I virtually tore though the packaging to get at my new....precious. If I had to be very nitpicky, I'd give a con to the amount of packaging, took me too long to actually be able to look at the sword .
Historical Overview
During the early part of the French Revolutionary War the British Army launched an expeditionary force into France. With the invading army was a young captain of the 2nd Dragoon Guards, serving as a brigade major, John Gaspard Le Marchant. Le Marchant noted the lack of professional skill displayed by the horsemen and the clumsy design of the heavy, over-long swords then in use and decided to do something about it. Among many other things Le Marchant did to improve the cavalry, he designed, in collaboration with the Birmingham sword cutler Henry Osborn, a new sabre. This was adopted by the British Army as the Pattern 1796 Light Cavalry Sabre.
An eastern influence can be detected in the blade form and Le Marchant is recorded as saying that the "blades of the Turks, Mamalukes, Moors and Hungarians [were] preferable to any other". The blade profile is similar to some examples of the Indian tulwar, and expert opinion has suggested that this sword may have contributed to the design of the British sabre. The 1796 sabre had a pronounced curve, making the kind of slashing attacks used in cavalry actions decidedly easier. Even cavalrymen trained to use the thrust, as the French were, in the confusion of a melee often reverted to instinctive hacking, which the 1796 accommodated. Its blade, unlike other European sabres of the period, widened near the point. This affected balance, but made slashes far more brutal; its action in the cut has been compared to a modern bacon slicer. It is said that this vicious design prompted unofficial complaints from French officers, but this is unconfirmed. The blade of the light cavalry sabre was from 32.5 to 33 inches in length and had a single broad fuller on each side. The sabre was lighter and easier to use than its heavy cavalry counterpart, the pattern 1796 Heavy Cavalry Sword, which had a less 'scientific' design. The hilt was of the simple 'stirrup' form with a single knucklebow, so as to be free of unnecessary weight; the intention of this was to make the sabre usable by all cavalrymen, not solely the largest and strongest. In common with the contemporary heavy cavalry sword the iron backpiece of the grip had ears which were riveted through the tang of the blade to give the hilt and blade a very secure connection.
Officers carried fighting swords very similar in form to those of the trooper version, though they tended to be lighter in weight and show evidence of higher levels of finish and workmanship. Officers stationed in India sometimes had the hilts and scabbards of their swords silvered as a protection against the high humidity of the Monsoon season. Unlike the officers of the heavy cavalry, light cavalry officers did not have a pattern dress sword. As a result of this there were many swords made which copied elements of the 1796 pattern design but incorporated a high degree of decoration, such as blue and gilt or frost-etched blades, and gilt hilts. At their most showy, sabres with ivory grips and lion's-head pommels are not unknown. These swords were obviously primarily intended for dress rather than battle.
The mounted swordsmanship training of the British emphasized the cut, at the face for maiming or killing, or at the arms to disable. This left masses of mutilated or disabled troops; the French, in contrast, favoured the thrust which gave cleaner kills. The sword was, however, capable of killing outright as was recorded by George Farmer of the 11th Light Dragoons, who was involved in a skirmish on the Guadiana River in 1811, during the Peninsular War:
Just then a French officer stooping over the body of one of his countrymen, who dropped the instant on his horse's neck, delivered a thrust at poor Harry Wilson's body; and delivered it effectually. I firmly believe that Wilson died on the instant yet, though he felt the sword in its progress, he, with characteristic self-command, kept his eye on the enemy in his front; and, raising himself in his stirrups, let fall upon the Frenchman's head such a blow, that brass and skull parted before it, and the man's head was cloven asunder to the chin. It was the most tremendous blow I ever beheld struck; and both he who gave, and his opponent who received it, dropped dead together. The brass helmet was afterwards examined by order of a French officer, who, as well as myself, was astonished at the exploit; and the cut was found to be as clean as if the sword had gone through a turnip, not so much as a dint being left on either side of it.
The blade is remembered today as one of the best of its time and has been described as the finest cutting sword ever manufactured in quantity. Outside of the cavalry swords with an identical hilt, but a lighter and shorter blade, were adopted as the officer's sword in the famous 95th Rifles, other light infantry regiments and the "flank" companies of line regiments. It was also copied by the Prussians, indeed some Imperial German troops were equipped with almost identical swords into the First World War. The Americans also adopted a pattern which was directly influenced by the British sword.
Initial Impressions
After a quick cleaning up, I had to breath to myself. Wow. This is one of the few times a mirror polish doesn't look gaudy and cheap.
When I actually had the sword in hand, boy, was I ever shocked. Previously, the only sabres I've owned was the Windlass 1860 Light Cavalry, and the Windlass Shamshir, both rather tip heavy and cumbersome weapons. This piece wasn't as shockingly light as say, the H/T longsword, but it seems to emanate a feeling of power projected through the whole piece. It just felt....deadly.
Statistics
I can NOT find my measuring equipment, so I'll just leave this blank for now.
Components
The Blade:
From a stock 1796 from CS, and is ground down to match the originals. Now, I don't own an original to compare it to, but I shall take Craig's word for it. Very well finished, there are a few marks here and there, but I don't really mind, that's nothing compared to what this blade would eventually resemble over its working life, if I start cutting tatami.
There is a very pronounced curve for a Western military sabre, this holds true to the adage that this blade was inspired by the tulwar. The blade is rather thick on the false edge, except towards the end, where it becomes sharp. The forte is relatively dull, and the whole blade is rather wide, giving the sabre a lot of blade presence and cutting power.
The Handle:
Standard Cold Steel fare, no change done by A&A.
Comfortable leather, the metal piece at the back of the handle gets slick when wet, would probably need gloves to use this piece.
The Guard:
Again, also standard cold steel, would make a nice set of brass knuckles in a pinch. Utilitarian, and functional. Personally, I prefer a simple guard like this, speaks of volumes of pragmatism.
The Scabbard:
I decided to go for the leather scabbard, as it would increase the lifetime of the edge, as rubbing against metal seems to kill the edges of my previous sabres. Standard Cold Steel. Doesn't feel like great quality leather, but it's something to hold my sword in.
Handling
Ah, here is where it shines. With some dry handling, I've found I'm able to do most basic fencing techniques, such as disengages, lunges, most parries, and various feints, albeit slower than a sport foil or sabre. However, it feels like this sword needs to be used from horseback, or with more rotation of the hips and body as opposed to most of the fencing techniques described by Hutton.
I can best describe it by comparing it to my Windlass Shamshir, which feels a lot more dead in the hand, it almost feels like I'm wielding a bladed mace, almost as if all the mass is concentrated at the end of the sword. Here, with the British Pattern, the mass seems to be evenly distributed throughout the whole blade, retaining a more forward sense of balance, and significant blade presence. This sword practically begs for some heavy cutting.
For those interested, the blade has very good harmonics, and plays a high E when struck. Yes, I matched it with my piano.
Test Cutting
Alas, I cannot do any test cutting as of yet, it is still significantly below zero outside, and water would freeze too easily. Also, I'm going to try to get my hand on some tatami, I really need heavy targets for this sword.
Conclusions
Overall, my dealings with Craig Johnson were pleasant, and I certainly would do business with him again. Perhaps, in the future, I'd like to go with a more 'Officer' and ceremonial pattern of sabre, but that's a thought I'll ponder by myself. Now, we come to the end of the review, where I try to compress everything into the pros and cons
Pros
Great Handling
Remains faithful to historical accuracy
Beautiful finish that I shall eventually ruin from constant use
Cons
Does not come with horse (I'm reaching here guys....)
Relatively high cost
The Bottom Line
This piece, while expensive was worth every one of the six hundred dollars I've paid for it, money well spent. However, this means it will be out of reach of most of the casual collectors, though the cots are generally shy of what you could get an original for. Would definitely recommend this to anyone looking for a quality reproduction of the famous 1796 British Pattern.