Chilean Trooper swords 1890-1895
Apr 28, 2018 1:56:38 GMT
Post by Pino on Apr 28, 2018 1:56:38 GMT
The focus of this topic is to explore two models that echo the transitions of European influence that this interesting nation has experienced during the last years of the 19th century: the cavalry model 1890 and the Federal Police sword 1895- 1896.
A bit of Chilean History
Central and South American swords is a gold mine to find unique and interesting sword models and variants; since the collapse of the Spanish Empire and the creation of autonomous states the absence of a clear sword industry meant that European cutlers and makers could export their products there and Chile was no exception and it too looked up to European powers since its independence to equip and arm itself.
The major military influence was France since the end of the Napoleonic Wars. Many leaders of the wars of Independence such as Bolivar, San martin or O’Higgins were inspired by the ideals of the French Revolution. Later on many of Napoleon’s former men migrated to the new continent to seek adventure and employment and found a place as advisors within the Chilean Army.
Following the German victory of the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-71, Chile started to look towards Germany to reorganize itself in time but economical crisis, the Pacific War against Peru and Bolivia and the civil war of 1891 postponed/slowed this. German advisors were thus invited to reorganize the nation's military in the last decade of the century and just a few years after, in early 20th cent, the Chilean army was fully ''prussianized''.
Not until 1944 Germany supplied Chile with advisors, equipment and uniforms. Even despite the German Empire’s defeat of WW1 and WW2 its influence remained strong in Chile and its army faithfully kept in its military tradition and ceremonial uniforms the Prussian style mixed with some French elements in a manner almost unseen in any other Latin American nation.
A quick look at today’s military parades suffice to show that in Chile the Prussian spirit is still alive and kicking and even carrying French swords (look closely at 5:34 and 11:06)!
1890 Chilean cavalry trooper sword
This one needs little introduction since it is a very frequently encountered specimen today. The 1890 sword is a French made contract sword that was created following the cancellation of the trooper model sword said Derue.
This model consisted of a sword armed with a very slim T-shaped blade that was intended to be used solely for piercing attacks; its hilt was composed of an brass guard enveloping to the max the hand and with perforated holes and cut-out designs to lighten the thing. This sword was a still-born projects and never made it out of production except for the officer’s model which was offered by private cutlers.
But it turns out the hilt had tremendous potential since it got the attention of both the Dutch and Chilean military who were very interested with variations of the sword: the Dutch sword M1895 (trooper and officer) and the infantry officer sword Model 1897 (reduced guard and with a pipeback blade) and a 1955 model (Honorary Escort sabre). Many thanks to my good mate Jannes for helping me with these ones.
The Chilean model was ordered as an export sword that was directly made in France possibly because Chile didn’t have the means to produce their own swords and French manufacturers like Châtellerault also created swords uniquely exported to other nations, this is why it is stamped by its own inspectors before being inspected again in the receiving country. Hence the confusion with collector not sure if it is French or other.
The sword was thus composed of the enveloping guard that was made of iron instead of brass; the holes and cut-outs are pretty much the same as the original Derue form; the standard grip was changed to one made of horn and had a pistol-shaped ergonomic form for better grasp.
The blade was made and controlled at Chatellereault and stamped by its quality-control team (in typical French fashion): the back was signed with the usual Mfture Natle Chatt. J.H. These initials stood for Jacob Holzer who was an entrepreneur that supplied quality iron for the blades. The obverse ricasso is stamped with the Chilean star meaning it was controlled by the army inspectors before being issued to the unit.
The result was a light, easy to produce sword with a hilt offering good protection and a blade capable of doing cut and thrusts.
HOWEVER the biggest flaw with this sword is with the grip: in all specimen I encountered the grips show some rattling, not a big failure but an obnoxious one nonetheless.
1895 Chilean sword
With Germany being the main influence to Chile, sometime in 1895 a contract was passed with companies Luneschloss and Eickhorn for an export model to arm its police force, or Policia Fiscal, present-time having become the Carabineros.
One needs not look far to see from what this piece was based upon: it is basically the same sword as the Prussian KD89 sword, with its nickeled steel hilt guard cut out with the national coat of arms (in this case Chile); the grip is ribbed bakelite with 2 rivets on each side for added solidity, the scabbard was single-ringed and made of steel.
The pipeback blade bears the engraved ''Policia fiscal Chile''.
The Chilean next to a Prussian model
Despite being a copy of the KD89 there are still some tiny little differences with the grip form: if you look closely you’ll not that the Chilean is straighter than the Prussian one whose form is leaning in a curve. The Chilean version is also lighter than the Prussian model and handles better in my opinion.
Of this sword two versions exist: one possibly for officers has a bakelite grip and steel scabbard while another, may be for troopers, has a full wood grip with no rivets and has a leather scabbard instead.
Spex
M1890
Sword length: 35'' / 90cm
Blade length: 29.5'' / 75cm
Weight: 2.01lbs / 954gr
M1895
Sword length:
37'' / 94cm
Blade length:
31'' / 79cm
Weight: 1.12lbs / 810gr
A bit of Chilean History
Central and South American swords is a gold mine to find unique and interesting sword models and variants; since the collapse of the Spanish Empire and the creation of autonomous states the absence of a clear sword industry meant that European cutlers and makers could export their products there and Chile was no exception and it too looked up to European powers since its independence to equip and arm itself.
The major military influence was France since the end of the Napoleonic Wars. Many leaders of the wars of Independence such as Bolivar, San martin or O’Higgins were inspired by the ideals of the French Revolution. Later on many of Napoleon’s former men migrated to the new continent to seek adventure and employment and found a place as advisors within the Chilean Army.
Following the German victory of the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-71, Chile started to look towards Germany to reorganize itself in time but economical crisis, the Pacific War against Peru and Bolivia and the civil war of 1891 postponed/slowed this. German advisors were thus invited to reorganize the nation's military in the last decade of the century and just a few years after, in early 20th cent, the Chilean army was fully ''prussianized''.
Not until 1944 Germany supplied Chile with advisors, equipment and uniforms. Even despite the German Empire’s defeat of WW1 and WW2 its influence remained strong in Chile and its army faithfully kept in its military tradition and ceremonial uniforms the Prussian style mixed with some French elements in a manner almost unseen in any other Latin American nation.
A quick look at today’s military parades suffice to show that in Chile the Prussian spirit is still alive and kicking and even carrying French swords (look closely at 5:34 and 11:06)!
1890 Chilean cavalry trooper sword
This one needs little introduction since it is a very frequently encountered specimen today. The 1890 sword is a French made contract sword that was created following the cancellation of the trooper model sword said Derue.
This model consisted of a sword armed with a very slim T-shaped blade that was intended to be used solely for piercing attacks; its hilt was composed of an brass guard enveloping to the max the hand and with perforated holes and cut-out designs to lighten the thing. This sword was a still-born projects and never made it out of production except for the officer’s model which was offered by private cutlers.
But it turns out the hilt had tremendous potential since it got the attention of both the Dutch and Chilean military who were very interested with variations of the sword: the Dutch sword M1895 (trooper and officer) and the infantry officer sword Model 1897 (reduced guard and with a pipeback blade) and a 1955 model (Honorary Escort sabre). Many thanks to my good mate Jannes for helping me with these ones.
The Chilean model was ordered as an export sword that was directly made in France possibly because Chile didn’t have the means to produce their own swords and French manufacturers like Châtellerault also created swords uniquely exported to other nations, this is why it is stamped by its own inspectors before being inspected again in the receiving country. Hence the confusion with collector not sure if it is French or other.
The sword was thus composed of the enveloping guard that was made of iron instead of brass; the holes and cut-outs are pretty much the same as the original Derue form; the standard grip was changed to one made of horn and had a pistol-shaped ergonomic form for better grasp.
The blade was made and controlled at Chatellereault and stamped by its quality-control team (in typical French fashion): the back was signed with the usual Mfture Natle Chatt. J.H. These initials stood for Jacob Holzer who was an entrepreneur that supplied quality iron for the blades. The obverse ricasso is stamped with the Chilean star meaning it was controlled by the army inspectors before being issued to the unit.
The result was a light, easy to produce sword with a hilt offering good protection and a blade capable of doing cut and thrusts.
HOWEVER the biggest flaw with this sword is with the grip: in all specimen I encountered the grips show some rattling, not a big failure but an obnoxious one nonetheless.
1895 Chilean sword
With Germany being the main influence to Chile, sometime in 1895 a contract was passed with companies Luneschloss and Eickhorn for an export model to arm its police force, or Policia Fiscal, present-time having become the Carabineros.
One needs not look far to see from what this piece was based upon: it is basically the same sword as the Prussian KD89 sword, with its nickeled steel hilt guard cut out with the national coat of arms (in this case Chile); the grip is ribbed bakelite with 2 rivets on each side for added solidity, the scabbard was single-ringed and made of steel.
The pipeback blade bears the engraved ''Policia fiscal Chile''.
The Chilean next to a Prussian model
Despite being a copy of the KD89 there are still some tiny little differences with the grip form: if you look closely you’ll not that the Chilean is straighter than the Prussian one whose form is leaning in a curve. The Chilean version is also lighter than the Prussian model and handles better in my opinion.
Of this sword two versions exist: one possibly for officers has a bakelite grip and steel scabbard while another, may be for troopers, has a full wood grip with no rivets and has a leather scabbard instead.
Spex
M1890
Sword length: 35'' / 90cm
Blade length: 29.5'' / 75cm
Weight: 2.01lbs / 954gr
M1895
Sword length:
37'' / 94cm
Blade length:
31'' / 79cm
Weight: 1.12lbs / 810gr