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Post by Elheru Aran on Sept 4, 2011 20:47:41 GMT
I can't remember if you've commented on this before, but off the top of my head I'm noticing that most of the heavy cavalry swords are straight, while light cavalry or hussar swords have a more pronounced curvature? What's the particular reason for this, if any?
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Post by Deleted on Sept 5, 2011 10:01:03 GMT
Hi Dave,
The sword knots (very nice swords by the way) look like they are attached to the knuckle guards. I'm curious as to their function, were they decorative or did they serve some other purpose?
They remind me of the fancy knotted and braided paracord lanyards that people are creating to tie onto modern militart knives these days.
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Post by paulrward on Sept 5, 2011 23:11:42 GMT
Hello All;
Just to second what was said by Mr. Kelly, a good way to think of it was that Light Cavalry was tasked with dealing with enemy infantry, and so had a slashing sword, while Heavy Cavalry was supposed to fight off the enemy's Light Cavalry, and so had a heavy thrusting sword, which could by used in a 'lancelike' fashion. ( an excellent description, Mr. Kelly )
Which leads one to ask: Why did no army every conceive of the idea of equipping their cavalry with TWO sabers attached to their saddles, one straight and the other curved ? As Poul Anderson once had a character in one of his novels proclaim, " One sword is curved, the other straight, between them they shall fit all mannner of foes ! "
Respectfully;
Paul R. Ward
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Post by MrAcheson on Sept 6, 2011 14:20:35 GMT
Light cavalry were to be used against disorganized infantry formations and to harry troops behind the main infantry lines like the artillery or the supply train. An organized infantry formation will form square at which point light cavalry becomes mostly useless. If the square breaks (or never forms) however, there is no organized defense and the lights can ride through cutting this way and that with their sabers. Heavy cavalry could be used against lights or as shock troops to break up the infantry formations using lances or, in theory, long thrusting blades.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 17, 2011 19:18:40 GMT
Lovely sword knots on lovely swords! I can't even begin to decide which combination I like the most. Was there any functional or other difference between the ones that look more like tassels and the ones that are slabs of leather?
Also, I did not know you had that British Horse Guards sword. I don't remember ever reading anything on that, but it certainly has a very stylish basket hilt. Any more details or pictures of that one?
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Post by John P on Sept 23, 2011 4:22:24 GMT
What a beautiful collection. Richard Marsden who I study western swordsmanship under did an write up over the Napoleonic era disagreement over cutting vs stabling. This argument ended being a flame war of nationalism over practicality and the preferences of the fighting men. hemaalliance.com/discussion/view ... =20&t=1406 |
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Post by Kilted Cossack on Sept 23, 2011 18:29:30 GMT
Hey, I know that good looking guy in the green pullover pictured in Marsden's article!
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Post by Deleted on Sept 25, 2011 19:03:08 GMT
Great information on those sword knots, you really ought to turn all of your posts into a book or something. Pity about the British saber, I guess this issue seems to be prevalent in most saber reproductions, the crowbar-like handling, that is.
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Post by chuckinohio on Oct 1, 2011 12:31:35 GMT
Library Sentinel says " Right then, no Library card, no book for you. Off with you now lad, SMARTLY I say" :lol:
I still prefer the "Spanish Pimp Banker" pic. "You have Escudos, yes? She is quite accomodating for you my friend"
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