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Post by yuner on Aug 20, 2013 18:05:22 GMT
Curious about something. I realize that cavalry troopers in say, the time of Napoleon, were issued their sabers, but officers were expected to purchase their own. Do any of you guys know if officers typically owned more than one? And when a troopers sword was damaged or broken, was it difficult to get a replacement? I would think that in the Crimean war for instance, replacements would be difficult to obtain. Perhaps they just used their dead comrades swords in that situation.
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Luka
Senior Forumite
Posts: 2,848
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Post by Luka on Aug 20, 2013 21:04:49 GMT
I may be wrong, but it seems to me cavalry charges with sabers were not that numerous in that time and it may be only after big pitched battles that cavalrymen might have needed replacements and after such battles there were probably enough extra sabers either from their fallen comrades or the enemy. And officers might not be that likely to get in a hand to hand fighting anyway.
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Post by Dave Kelly on Aug 20, 2013 21:58:57 GMT
Little question can open such big cans of worms. :lol:
Officers in the early 19th Century were expected to have several swords; Dress, Walking Out, Field Service. Warrior mindsets would bring several combat swords on campaign. The replacement issue is that huge logistical can of worms. Getting resupplied rapidly was determined by how close up you were to the established pipeline for the army. France the North Countries and north Ittaly was a snap for the French. Russia, SPain and Poland you were in trouble. Battlefield requisitions could keep an army manning the ranks and fighting, also quartemasters would be pressed to account for weapons and redistribute stores to fill saddles with fighters. Accounts of available men for battle and those left out for lack of mounts or weapons can be alarming.
Luka: Heavy Cavalry were saved for the big battles where they were thrown away vigorously. Light cavalry did serve on the battlefield, but day to day they operated as a cloud of security buffering friendly forces and squabbling with opponents light cavalry to maintain a level of supremecy in covering the security zone between the armies. Many small fights.
Sabre play was on a slow decline since pistols came about. In 1845 the revolver came along and damn near scuttled the cavalry. By 1867 the cased cartridge was adopted and sword fights went near tharn.
:mrgreen:
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Post by yuner on Aug 21, 2013 1:21:57 GMT
appreciate the answers gentleman.
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Post by Dave Kelly on Aug 21, 2013 1:25:59 GMT
Speaking of cavalry sabres you never mentioned anything about getting you 1906 sabre. That bad?  |
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Post by yuner on Aug 21, 2013 13:38:30 GMT
I did neglect to mention the arrival of the 1906. No sir, not bad at all. In fact, it is very well made, attractive, and the sharpening service from KOA was well done. All in all, very pleased with the sword. I would say that its as good as the 1908 british cavalry saber I own, and that is one of my favorites.
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Post by Dave Kelly on Aug 21, 2013 20:54:49 GMT
HAppy,happy, joy, joy !!!! :mrgreen:
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