A Cuirassier! M1854 Heavy Cav Sword
Dec 30, 2011 6:12:57 GMT
Post by Dave Kelly on Dec 30, 2011 6:12:57 GMT
A Cuirassier! The French M1854 Heavy Cav Pallasch
Introduction:
During my recent indulgence in prosaic flatulence over a fake Chasseur a Cheval de Le Garde Imperiale, I had the undeserved good fortune to trip over the ebay sale of the somewhat rare replacement of the famous ANXIII Curassier sword. It looked rough in the photos, but the advert said it was strong bladed and the hilt was tight. Not seen very often, I really wanted this one. Put a $550 bid down and waited to see what happened. Nothing happened. Too close to Christmas; I got the sword for $400.00.
It arrived on the 27th. What came out of the shipping carton was pretty much what was advertised. But it was all good. Scabbard was pretty rusty but otherwise unblemished. Looked like there had been some black paint applied at some point. The hilt was not just patinated but there was a lot of mineral salts on it. Looked weird. The grip was solid and the wire intact. Leather was all there, but dried. The blade is VG+ with some discoloration and some torque to the foible indicating old useage.
History:
The Dragoon Pallasch was an established 1788 pattern heavy sword for the French Army that gained icon status when Napoleon rearmored the Heavy Cav in 1803 and gave them a new pattern 4 bar hilted version of the sword. The Cavalry Board attempted to introduce a Montmorency styled long saber replacement in 1822, but the heavies refused it as too light for their purposes. In 1854, as part of Napoleon III’s rejuvenation of French status as a leader state, the heavies wish for a new pallasch was granted.
Characteristics and Handling:
The M1854 is intended to be a reinstatement of the ANXIII. But its designers didn’t just replicate the old piece. Everything was refreshed.
The blade has a more aggressive taper with a more pointed foible. Blade was slightly increased in length from 37.25 inches to 38.
Hilt specifics are similar, but the grip has more symmetry and the upper line of the grip flows into the phyrgian pommel fluidly to increase heal of the hand support.
As of old the total mass comes to 3 lbs. The PoB is slightly moved back towards the hand with the lessened foible.
The popularity of this sword can only be appreciated when you get to handle the real thing. WeaponEdge replicas abound, but their dynamics are poor due to a very poor blade geometry.
Both the ANXIII and M1854 surprise with the relative ease with which they can be extended into a point attack, or swung into a cutting line.
The scabbard cleaned up easily. Once the accretions were lightened I found a matching rack number for the blade on the scabbard: 1410 for both. I thought I might paint the scabbard flat black again, but it came back well enough and under the crude it has proved to be in excellent shape.
I don’t know what the alloy is on the hilt. It is much stiffer than the soft brass alloys of the previous generation of swords. Accounts for the light green oxidation and salts that sat on the uncared for blade. Hand polishing did nothing to restore this metal. Had to use my dremmel tool to get started. Went no further than a VG clearing. Some of the stains and scratches are too deep. But I now have a weapon that looks duty serviceable from 4 feet.
Grip leather and wire is in fine shape. Fed the leather some restorer and it has come back well.
Have some shots of the old ANXIII side by side with the M1854. Very, very pleased with the M1854 acquisition. It stands well as part of the tradition and in it’s own right.
Introduction:
During my recent indulgence in prosaic flatulence over a fake Chasseur a Cheval de Le Garde Imperiale, I had the undeserved good fortune to trip over the ebay sale of the somewhat rare replacement of the famous ANXIII Curassier sword. It looked rough in the photos, but the advert said it was strong bladed and the hilt was tight. Not seen very often, I really wanted this one. Put a $550 bid down and waited to see what happened. Nothing happened. Too close to Christmas; I got the sword for $400.00.
It arrived on the 27th. What came out of the shipping carton was pretty much what was advertised. But it was all good. Scabbard was pretty rusty but otherwise unblemished. Looked like there had been some black paint applied at some point. The hilt was not just patinated but there was a lot of mineral salts on it. Looked weird. The grip was solid and the wire intact. Leather was all there, but dried. The blade is VG+ with some discoloration and some torque to the foible indicating old useage.
History:
The Dragoon Pallasch was an established 1788 pattern heavy sword for the French Army that gained icon status when Napoleon rearmored the Heavy Cav in 1803 and gave them a new pattern 4 bar hilted version of the sword. The Cavalry Board attempted to introduce a Montmorency styled long saber replacement in 1822, but the heavies refused it as too light for their purposes. In 1854, as part of Napoleon III’s rejuvenation of French status as a leader state, the heavies wish for a new pallasch was granted.
Characteristics and Handling:
The M1854 is intended to be a reinstatement of the ANXIII. But its designers didn’t just replicate the old piece. Everything was refreshed.
The blade has a more aggressive taper with a more pointed foible. Blade was slightly increased in length from 37.25 inches to 38.
Hilt specifics are similar, but the grip has more symmetry and the upper line of the grip flows into the phyrgian pommel fluidly to increase heal of the hand support.
As of old the total mass comes to 3 lbs. The PoB is slightly moved back towards the hand with the lessened foible.
The popularity of this sword can only be appreciated when you get to handle the real thing. WeaponEdge replicas abound, but their dynamics are poor due to a very poor blade geometry.
Both the ANXIII and M1854 surprise with the relative ease with which they can be extended into a point attack, or swung into a cutting line.
The scabbard cleaned up easily. Once the accretions were lightened I found a matching rack number for the blade on the scabbard: 1410 for both. I thought I might paint the scabbard flat black again, but it came back well enough and under the crude it has proved to be in excellent shape.
I don’t know what the alloy is on the hilt. It is much stiffer than the soft brass alloys of the previous generation of swords. Accounts for the light green oxidation and salts that sat on the uncared for blade. Hand polishing did nothing to restore this metal. Had to use my dremmel tool to get started. Went no further than a VG clearing. Some of the stains and scratches are too deep. But I now have a weapon that looks duty serviceable from 4 feet.
Grip leather and wire is in fine shape. Fed the leather some restorer and it has come back well.
Have some shots of the old ANXIII side by side with the M1854. Very, very pleased with the M1854 acquisition. It stands well as part of the tradition and in it’s own right.
