Swiss Army Cavalry Officers Sabers 1876 and 94
Feb 22, 2015 3:18:28 GMT
Post by Dave Kelly on Feb 22, 2015 3:18:28 GMT
Swiss Army Cavalry Officer Sabres 1876/94
INTRODUCTION
I bought an 1894 Swiss Cavalry Officer Sword form Mark Austin about 4 years ago. Preached at me about how this sabre was one of the finest ever made. Told him he was smoking dope. It has it's virtues, but it was an end stage redisign of a combat weapon that has it's faults. I just got an 1867 version this past week. This is the real deal; as I shall elaborate.
BACKGROUND
Switzerland had been a satallite of France since the revolution and had fought for Napoleon. For two generations their swords had been based on French models. But Napoleon IIIs meddling in Italy and threatening to reestablish the old spheres of influence of his uncle's had estranged relations. The Swiss, even before 1870, rearmed on German models.
CHARACTERISTICS
The 1867 incorporates a hilt reminiscent of the Austrian 1861 and marries it with the 1821 British/Solingen sabre blade. The 34.5 in blade is German in length. The hilt is long and supports an ample grip that supports open handed sabre style. The scabbard can be worn as a side arm with a single carrier ring, but in mounted combat it has a sinch ring for attachment to the saddle.
The 1894 downgrades the weapon almost to the point of mere representation. The blade is hardly an inch is width, untapered and 33 inches long. The guard is half an inch less wide, otherwise the grip and handling is the same.
Looking at the numbers it is evident that the classic 1867 is the significantly better handling of the two sabres. The taper makes for a much livelier feeling weapon that is weilded with more assurance. The straight untapered 1894 lacks the feedback due to its stiff blade, but in fact it is slightly lighter than the 67 and just as easy to move.
An added feature inherited from its Austrian past is that the sabres are ambidextrous.
One significant drawback to the style of the sword is a guard of insufficient width to actually protect the backhand from a stike to the edge of the guard.
The period sword knot for Swiss cavalry officers is the white on red antique portapee on the 1867.
These are two very handsome swords. I consider the 67 to be the more exciting of the two.
INTRODUCTION
I bought an 1894 Swiss Cavalry Officer Sword form Mark Austin about 4 years ago. Preached at me about how this sabre was one of the finest ever made. Told him he was smoking dope. It has it's virtues, but it was an end stage redisign of a combat weapon that has it's faults. I just got an 1867 version this past week. This is the real deal; as I shall elaborate.
BACKGROUND
Switzerland had been a satallite of France since the revolution and had fought for Napoleon. For two generations their swords had been based on French models. But Napoleon IIIs meddling in Italy and threatening to reestablish the old spheres of influence of his uncle's had estranged relations. The Swiss, even before 1870, rearmed on German models.
CHARACTERISTICS
The 1867 incorporates a hilt reminiscent of the Austrian 1861 and marries it with the 1821 British/Solingen sabre blade. The 34.5 in blade is German in length. The hilt is long and supports an ample grip that supports open handed sabre style. The scabbard can be worn as a side arm with a single carrier ring, but in mounted combat it has a sinch ring for attachment to the saddle.
The 1894 downgrades the weapon almost to the point of mere representation. The blade is hardly an inch is width, untapered and 33 inches long. The guard is half an inch less wide, otherwise the grip and handling is the same.
Looking at the numbers it is evident that the classic 1867 is the significantly better handling of the two sabres. The taper makes for a much livelier feeling weapon that is weilded with more assurance. The straight untapered 1894 lacks the feedback due to its stiff blade, but in fact it is slightly lighter than the 67 and just as easy to move.
An added feature inherited from its Austrian past is that the sabres are ambidextrous.
One significant drawback to the style of the sword is a guard of insufficient width to actually protect the backhand from a stike to the edge of the guard.
The period sword knot for Swiss cavalry officers is the white on red antique portapee on the 1867.
These are two very handsome swords. I consider the 67 to be the more exciting of the two.