Weaponedge - Military Heritage Guard Chasseurs Officer Sword
Feb 28, 2013 2:14:35 GMT
Post by Deleted on Feb 28, 2013 2:14:35 GMT
Hello again and welcome to the 2nd part of the review of French Napoleonic swords. This time let's look at the cavalry officer model.
Overview
The officers of the Guard Chasseurs were given a different type of sword that was in fact the same sword issued to all regular light cavalry officers.
That sword is the so-called An IX (Year 9) light cavalry sword for officers with the 3 branches similar to the trooper version but without the ‘’olive’’ on the handle. You might easily recognize it as the new Cold Steel French sword (and which has been reviewed by Dave Kelly here :forum.sword-buyers-guide.com/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=13645
Historical background & Overall design
This model was given to (and adopted by) all light cavalry officers of the Imperial army (Line lancers, hussars, Guard lancers and Guard Horse Chasseur officers).
Depending on the officer’s financial condition, models varied from time to time with having entirely brass or silver scabbards, adorned handles and lots or no engraving on the blade. GHC officers being an elite class of their own, most had very fancy swords with engravings as seen on this link: swordscollection.blogspot.ca/2012/02/officer-horse-chasseur-sword-napoleon.html
So yeah, Weapon Edge also made in the past a sword like that, now most likely out of production as it is sold out everywhere I look.
I managed to get mine some years ago from an obscure dealer in the net www.historylive.us/ for 260$ + shipping but since have never seen one like it again except for one who managed to fetch 1000$ on eBay some months ago…
The scarceness of this obscure repro and its overall genuine look make it easily pass for a real when one surfaces on auctions and shops. Buyer beware!
The Blade
Standard curved blade with broad fullers on each side. This particular WE sword has engravings on both sides of military trophies, cannons, flowers and all that stuff that was seen on many original pieces. It’s not bad but the problem is that the engravings are in some places of different quality etching that is typical of Indian manufacturing. It doesn’t have the finesse and correct feeling for a 1800s engraved blade.
An the point lacks something I can't quite put my finger on...
That said the blade itself is very Ok, while it doesn’t have much flexibility, neither does it have a very forward POB, preventing it to feel like a clumsy crowbar.
Handle
Much like the trooper version and almost everything Napoleonic reproduction, the grip is Indian black leather wrapped with brass wire. Everything in the handle is made of that stinky brass, so no surprises here. At least the grip is much more comfortable to hold and is not as heavy as the 1802 Guard sword. The bard are wide enough for the hand and cover for a good protection, the ergonomic form of the handle is surprisingly accurate in its design and looks convincingly true to original form.
Scabbard
Simple iron scabbard with brass rings and brass bracelets and mouth, pretty historically accurate here.
The whole thing is rather light and fits the blade nicely while doing a good job in keeping it tight and safe. It is slender and not overbuilt and the drag is not grossly done. Not bad at all.
Handling
Due to the fact that the handle is not extra heavy and the blade has an acceptable POB, you can use this sword without too much effort but still it is a bit heavier than it should be. At least it’s not a catastrophic result like the Chasseur sword.
The 3-branch handle, despite all, is the heaviest part and makes this sword feel a little clumsy at times and would be better off with a redesign on its weight to counter the balance perfectly.
Conclusion
This is an out of production sword and very hard to get a hold of but I’d recommend it if you see one for around 200$.
It is serviceable for light practice and fashion display & I’m OK with it as a whole but not a perfect repro. The handle is better than other swords and the overall appearance is honestly not bad at all but still improvements would not be unwelcome here.
Historical accuracy: 8/10 (too bad for the etching…)
Handling: 6.5/10
Recommended: 7/10
It seems this is one of the only acceptable swords out there that could be a good Napoleonic repro but wait, there’s a similar sword that almost passes unexplored and might be a surprise, as you’ll see at part III.
Overview
The officers of the Guard Chasseurs were given a different type of sword that was in fact the same sword issued to all regular light cavalry officers.
That sword is the so-called An IX (Year 9) light cavalry sword for officers with the 3 branches similar to the trooper version but without the ‘’olive’’ on the handle. You might easily recognize it as the new Cold Steel French sword (and which has been reviewed by Dave Kelly here :forum.sword-buyers-guide.com/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=13645
Historical background & Overall design
This model was given to (and adopted by) all light cavalry officers of the Imperial army (Line lancers, hussars, Guard lancers and Guard Horse Chasseur officers).
Depending on the officer’s financial condition, models varied from time to time with having entirely brass or silver scabbards, adorned handles and lots or no engraving on the blade. GHC officers being an elite class of their own, most had very fancy swords with engravings as seen on this link: swordscollection.blogspot.ca/2012/02/officer-horse-chasseur-sword-napoleon.html
So yeah, Weapon Edge also made in the past a sword like that, now most likely out of production as it is sold out everywhere I look.
I managed to get mine some years ago from an obscure dealer in the net www.historylive.us/ for 260$ + shipping but since have never seen one like it again except for one who managed to fetch 1000$ on eBay some months ago…
The scarceness of this obscure repro and its overall genuine look make it easily pass for a real when one surfaces on auctions and shops. Buyer beware!
The Blade
Standard curved blade with broad fullers on each side. This particular WE sword has engravings on both sides of military trophies, cannons, flowers and all that stuff that was seen on many original pieces. It’s not bad but the problem is that the engravings are in some places of different quality etching that is typical of Indian manufacturing. It doesn’t have the finesse and correct feeling for a 1800s engraved blade.
An the point lacks something I can't quite put my finger on...
That said the blade itself is very Ok, while it doesn’t have much flexibility, neither does it have a very forward POB, preventing it to feel like a clumsy crowbar.
Handle
Much like the trooper version and almost everything Napoleonic reproduction, the grip is Indian black leather wrapped with brass wire. Everything in the handle is made of that stinky brass, so no surprises here. At least the grip is much more comfortable to hold and is not as heavy as the 1802 Guard sword. The bard are wide enough for the hand and cover for a good protection, the ergonomic form of the handle is surprisingly accurate in its design and looks convincingly true to original form.
Scabbard
Simple iron scabbard with brass rings and brass bracelets and mouth, pretty historically accurate here.
The whole thing is rather light and fits the blade nicely while doing a good job in keeping it tight and safe. It is slender and not overbuilt and the drag is not grossly done. Not bad at all.
Handling
Due to the fact that the handle is not extra heavy and the blade has an acceptable POB, you can use this sword without too much effort but still it is a bit heavier than it should be. At least it’s not a catastrophic result like the Chasseur sword.
The 3-branch handle, despite all, is the heaviest part and makes this sword feel a little clumsy at times and would be better off with a redesign on its weight to counter the balance perfectly.
Conclusion
This is an out of production sword and very hard to get a hold of but I’d recommend it if you see one for around 200$.
It is serviceable for light practice and fashion display & I’m OK with it as a whole but not a perfect repro. The handle is better than other swords and the overall appearance is honestly not bad at all but still improvements would not be unwelcome here.
Historical accuracy: 8/10 (too bad for the etching…)
Handling: 6.5/10
Recommended: 7/10
It seems this is one of the only acceptable swords out there that could be a good Napoleonic repro but wait, there’s a similar sword that almost passes unexplored and might be a surprise, as you’ll see at part III.