1796 Heavy Cavalry Sword - info

Hello all,
I mentioned a while back that there was a couple of articles about the British cavalry and the developement of that sword over on swordforum.com. I copied them to a file. Very interesting. The one about the 1796 sabre also has who designed it, and has some eyewitness accounts of the devestating wounds it inflicted on the French.

Also, I have a sword and spear demo DVD put out by Cold Steel where they do cutting and thrusting tests on some of their swords and spears. They cut the rolled up mats and sides of meat hanging up, etc.. Awesome! Among those demonstrated is the 1796 that they offer. The guy doing the demonstrating is the President of Cold Steel. He says that the 1796 British sabre is by far his favorite sabre in the whole world due to its handling and cutting capabilities. It definately looked awesome in his hands.
Just thought y'all'd find that interesting.
Take care,
Freebooter

Hey y'all,
How well balanced is the 1796 and how does it stack up against the 1822 Napoleonic French sabre and the U.S. sabers of the 1860s as far as balance, heft, and handling goes? Anyone here ever handled all three of them and could answer that question? Iam curious about it and as to which was the best all round sabre as far as balance and fighting use goes.
Thanks,
FB

According to an article I read that was because it was designed from the outset as a mainly cutting weapon. It was designed to inflict devastating cuts and from what I have read it did. I read that the French actually filed a formal complaint about its inhuman qualities ( who did they complain to before the Geneva convention?)
FB

This is a myth that has been erroneously repeated in literature on the 1796 light cavalry sword. I cannot remember the originator of this story, but I do remember that no source was cited. For some great info on the 1796 swords, visit www.swordsandpistols.co.uk and visit the research section. There are several excellent articles on these swords and more.


Added: Also check out the photo galleries at Swords and Pistols. The 1796 Heavy Cavalry Officer's swords are quite attractive.

Spadroon,

I don't think you came across that way at all. I also knew this was an "urban legend" and had not been proven. I understand it is one of those things circulated after English troopers commented about comments French prisoners had made to them regarding how frightening the English sabers were to them.

Note that we seem to be discussing two different swords here. The 1796 Heavy Cavalry Saber and the 1796 Light Cavalry Saber are two different animals.

The Heavy
www.militaryheritage.com/images/1796hc_1.jpg

The Light
www.militaryheritage.com/images/1796lc_1.jpg

Those who've seen the Sharpe's series with Sean Bean will recognize the Heavy version, which is prominently featured. WHile the Light is no fencing saber, I'd imagine the Heavy is even more unweildy. Never having handled the Heavy, this is a guess on my part, but the Heavy at least looks more cumbersome.

Thanks, spadroon. It shows how deceiving looks can be. The Heavy just looks so beefy, that I've always imagined it as being heavy, slow, etc. It definitely isn't as elegant as many other period sabers, but it does look very purposeful and menacing.

This is the only place I know of: www.militaryheritage.com/swords2.htm. At $225 + $19 shipping to USA, it's within the $300 limit, too.

Not the same, obviously, but a possible sub-$300 substitute: www.militaryheritage.com/hadiksword.htm