Empire Costume 1810 Guard Heavy Cavalry sword
Oct 24, 2011 16:46:58 GMT
Post by Deleted on Oct 24, 2011 16:46:58 GMT
Welcome to my very second review. Last week I looked at what Empire Costume had to offer with their Vendémiaire swords and now I will check out another sword from them which is the 1810 sword for the Mounted Grenadiers.
Before I start I would like to I'd like to redirect you to Dave Kelly's review of the same sword but from Weapon Edge: sbgswordforum.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=swordreviews&action=print&thread=13648
as it is his work that inspired me to write my own reviews.
Historical overview
The 1810 model was given to prestigious units of the Napoleon’s Imperial Guard such as the Empress’ Dragoons or the Elite Gendarmes (MPs) but it is mainly associated with the best regiment of the Guard cavalry.
The Guard Grenadiers a Cheval were first created in 1800 as the Consular Guard heavy cavalry and were later converted in 1804 as the Imperial Guard heavies. The elite of the elite, they were the senior cavalry regiment within the Guard, formed of veterans who had to have 2 to 29 years of experience in the army before being admitted to this prestigious unit. As such they were the most respected and feared cavalry of them all. This is the 1810 pattern sword carried by troopers of a unit that was never defeated.
Pics of an original here: www.swordsandpistols.co.uk/swords_gallery/index.php?page=list-image&album=6
Statistics
Blade Length: 38 inches (96.5 cm)
Handle Length: 6 inches (15 cm)
Overall Length: without the scabbard 44 inches (1.12m); with scabbard 46.5 inches (1.17m)
Blade width: 1 ¼ (30 cm)
POB (Point of Balance): 6 inches (15cm)
Weight: 4.5 lbs (2200gr) with scabbard; around 3.3 lbs (1500gr) without scabbard
Components
The Blade
This model is one of those that have received a reworked, lighter and more flexible blade. There are also some differences between this and the other ones on the market: better looking inspection marks (who look stamped rather than engraved), accurate point and additional fuller (something that pictures of originals seem to confirm). The blade is clearly more flexible indeed than those from WE making it easier to control.
The Handle
The composition of the hilt, handle and pommel are pretty much the same thing as the Weapon Edge and Military Heritage swords. The handle is made of black leather with brass grip wire.
At least, when compared to what an original looks like, all manufacturers have done a good job here.
The Guard / Hilt
This is probably where I’d make some changes: the heavy brass is just a little too much and kind of spoils the advantage of having a light blade. It is heavy and counterbalances the POB, making the sword not being most agile to manoeuver.
The Scabbard
Same as with other models: brass scabbard with black leather inserted ports and steel drag.
Handling Characteristics
I remember I once bought one 1810 (possible a WE or MH) on eBay and I was negatively impressed how heavy and unwieldy it felt when I tried it: it really felt more like a wall decoration or a Depeeka sword. With a weight of approx 3lbs it was just too heavy and clumsy.
The one from Emp. Costume is better but it still remains heavy, mainly because of the hilt, at least thanks to the blade it’s lighter than the WE version by about 30%. This sword is actually pretty well balanced and getting it into position is easy. Keeping it there will still take some effort because this is not a light cavalry sword. I’m not quite sure if they designed this one to fight only with the point (much like the cuirassiers swords) but it does that job great.
Conclusion
I was not as impressed here as I was with the Vendémiaire. It is still a very beautifully made sword that is very close to the original and for a fraction of the price but I am left somewhat unsatisfied mainly because of the weight. It is not exceptionally heavy but it is not as agile as you’d think it’d be given a flexible blade.
They should seriously consider getting rid of that brass, not only does it make the sword heavier but it is cheap and it stinks compared to other metals. Should they manage to lighten the handle on this model, Empire could have the right to boast that they sell the best copy of them all.
Recommendations
If you want something better than what is offered by Weapon Edge and Military Heritage then this is a sword that will satisfy you, but if you want a sword that is light and for fencing, I suggest maybe looking at Chevalier d’Auvergne, but you might have to pay twice to get something that is not confirmed to be better.
Handling: 6.9/10
Looks: 10/10
Historical accuracy: 8/10
Before I start I would like to I'd like to redirect you to Dave Kelly's review of the same sword but from Weapon Edge: sbgswordforum.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=swordreviews&action=print&thread=13648
as it is his work that inspired me to write my own reviews.
Historical overview
The 1810 model was given to prestigious units of the Napoleon’s Imperial Guard such as the Empress’ Dragoons or the Elite Gendarmes (MPs) but it is mainly associated with the best regiment of the Guard cavalry.
The Guard Grenadiers a Cheval were first created in 1800 as the Consular Guard heavy cavalry and were later converted in 1804 as the Imperial Guard heavies. The elite of the elite, they were the senior cavalry regiment within the Guard, formed of veterans who had to have 2 to 29 years of experience in the army before being admitted to this prestigious unit. As such they were the most respected and feared cavalry of them all. This is the 1810 pattern sword carried by troopers of a unit that was never defeated.
Pics of an original here: www.swordsandpistols.co.uk/swords_gallery/index.php?page=list-image&album=6
Statistics
Blade Length: 38 inches (96.5 cm)
Handle Length: 6 inches (15 cm)
Overall Length: without the scabbard 44 inches (1.12m); with scabbard 46.5 inches (1.17m)
Blade width: 1 ¼ (30 cm)
POB (Point of Balance): 6 inches (15cm)
Weight: 4.5 lbs (2200gr) with scabbard; around 3.3 lbs (1500gr) without scabbard
Components
The Blade
This model is one of those that have received a reworked, lighter and more flexible blade. There are also some differences between this and the other ones on the market: better looking inspection marks (who look stamped rather than engraved), accurate point and additional fuller (something that pictures of originals seem to confirm). The blade is clearly more flexible indeed than those from WE making it easier to control.
The Handle
The composition of the hilt, handle and pommel are pretty much the same thing as the Weapon Edge and Military Heritage swords. The handle is made of black leather with brass grip wire.
At least, when compared to what an original looks like, all manufacturers have done a good job here.
The Guard / Hilt
This is probably where I’d make some changes: the heavy brass is just a little too much and kind of spoils the advantage of having a light blade. It is heavy and counterbalances the POB, making the sword not being most agile to manoeuver.
The Scabbard
Same as with other models: brass scabbard with black leather inserted ports and steel drag.
Handling Characteristics
I remember I once bought one 1810 (possible a WE or MH) on eBay and I was negatively impressed how heavy and unwieldy it felt when I tried it: it really felt more like a wall decoration or a Depeeka sword. With a weight of approx 3lbs it was just too heavy and clumsy.
The one from Emp. Costume is better but it still remains heavy, mainly because of the hilt, at least thanks to the blade it’s lighter than the WE version by about 30%. This sword is actually pretty well balanced and getting it into position is easy. Keeping it there will still take some effort because this is not a light cavalry sword. I’m not quite sure if they designed this one to fight only with the point (much like the cuirassiers swords) but it does that job great.
Conclusion
I was not as impressed here as I was with the Vendémiaire. It is still a very beautifully made sword that is very close to the original and for a fraction of the price but I am left somewhat unsatisfied mainly because of the weight. It is not exceptionally heavy but it is not as agile as you’d think it’d be given a flexible blade.
They should seriously consider getting rid of that brass, not only does it make the sword heavier but it is cheap and it stinks compared to other metals. Should they manage to lighten the handle on this model, Empire could have the right to boast that they sell the best copy of them all.
Recommendations
If you want something better than what is offered by Weapon Edge and Military Heritage then this is a sword that will satisfy you, but if you want a sword that is light and for fencing, I suggest maybe looking at Chevalier d’Auvergne, but you might have to pay twice to get something that is not confirmed to be better.
Handling: 6.9/10
Looks: 10/10
Historical accuracy: 8/10