French Light Cavalry Officer custom Coffin Handle Sabre
Aug 13, 2018 8:36:43 GMT
Post by Dave Kelly on Aug 13, 2018 8:36:43 GMT
French Napoleonic Light Cavalry Officer custom Coffin Handle Sabre
INTRODUCTION:
Recently I had been attracted to a type 1 French Cuirassier Pallasche sold by the Rachelemandel.com gallery on Ebay. Wasn't paying enough attention when I dropped the funds. Opened the package and there is an Indian repro. So notified the firm. The owner, G Cipolla, was effusively apologetic and stunned. He is a collector of 42 years and surprised he had been duped. I suggested an alternative to a simple refund. I suggested returning the sword and supplementing his pmt to get my second choice, a custom Solingen made Cheveux Legere Officers sabre. So it has come about.
BACKGROUND:
The Napoleonic mix of mounted regimental types had changed quite a bit compared to the three major wars of the 18th Century. The light cav had two major types prior to 1810: Chasseur a Cheval and Hussars. The Lancers were added after Napoleon fought in East Europe and became interested in the Polish skill with the lance.
The Chasseur (Hunter or in German, Jaeger) was a French copy of the Hussars they had fought against in the War of Austrian Succession. Napoleon had 30 regiments of these. Company's had a mix of line and elite troopers. All troops fought with saber and carbine. Elite troopers wore Hussar simplified uniforms, line trooper wore a simpler jacket and pants. The Chasseur type unit was dominant, as it was the least expensive regiment to field of the LC type.
Hussars were Hungarian borderers who were given free land grants along the Ottoman border in exchange for their fighting to hold them. Their dress was regionally influenced by the wear of the local gentry. The first French hussars joined in 1692, deserters from the Austrian Army. There were 3 to 6 regiments in the Royal Army thru the Seven Years War. Napoleon had 12 Regiments. The fewer Hussars than Chasseurs was because of the greater expense entailed in the glamorous uniforms of the Hussars.
3d Hussar Regiment Dress Uniform
Lastly, after 1810 Napoleon added 9 regiments of Lancers to the Line.
The use of bearskin bonnets for elite troops was common. The demands of the many European wars of the period was pushing fur bearing animals to the brink. By 1810, many elite organizations were ordered to go to the common Shako instead.
The Coffin Handle Sabre Characteristics:
L'Hoste in Le Sabre devotes ten pages to various LC sabres he groups as "a la Hongroise". Petard, I assume following his mentor Aries, holds this " L shaped or Coffin Handled style as "Allemande (German)".
The Solingen LC is the application of a minimalist, oriental type saber, of a Persian variety, that is an effective slashy cutter, married to a flatter curve that facilitates use of the point. The blade is extremely thin in profile, but that slim line is anchored on a back blade similar to the heavier Austrian saber shown with it.
This is a good shot to suggest the difference in percussive robustness of the more traditional Austrian light saber and the Solingen.
Handling:
The Solingen is incredibly light. Just 21 ozs. It provides for quick actions with sharp wrist maneuvers. Applying shoulder strength to such a weapon will do you no good. Their isn't enough blade for it. There isn't a lot of space for a large hand. The Upper quillon is useful for thumb placement. Hand protection isn't provided by the sabre; you have to keep your hand out of the way.
CONCLUSION:
There is a story where the famous French Cavalry General, Lasalle, rides up to a group of his officers, draws saber and shows them his brand new toy. Very diminutive and sharp. He make a sweeping cut at a tree branch and watches the foible of the blade break off and fall to the ground. No one dares to breath. LaSalle doesn't say a word; just flips the sabre to the ground and trots off.
That came to mind as I opened the box. But this lil sabre is stiff and tough. There are marks indicating use and the scabbard is also punctuated with spur marks.
INTRODUCTION:
Recently I had been attracted to a type 1 French Cuirassier Pallasche sold by the Rachelemandel.com gallery on Ebay. Wasn't paying enough attention when I dropped the funds. Opened the package and there is an Indian repro. So notified the firm. The owner, G Cipolla, was effusively apologetic and stunned. He is a collector of 42 years and surprised he had been duped. I suggested an alternative to a simple refund. I suggested returning the sword and supplementing his pmt to get my second choice, a custom Solingen made Cheveux Legere Officers sabre. So it has come about.
BACKGROUND:
The Napoleonic mix of mounted regimental types had changed quite a bit compared to the three major wars of the 18th Century. The light cav had two major types prior to 1810: Chasseur a Cheval and Hussars. The Lancers were added after Napoleon fought in East Europe and became interested in the Polish skill with the lance.
The Chasseur (Hunter or in German, Jaeger) was a French copy of the Hussars they had fought against in the War of Austrian Succession. Napoleon had 30 regiments of these. Company's had a mix of line and elite troopers. All troops fought with saber and carbine. Elite troopers wore Hussar simplified uniforms, line trooper wore a simpler jacket and pants. The Chasseur type unit was dominant, as it was the least expensive regiment to field of the LC type.
Hussars were Hungarian borderers who were given free land grants along the Ottoman border in exchange for their fighting to hold them. Their dress was regionally influenced by the wear of the local gentry. The first French hussars joined in 1692, deserters from the Austrian Army. There were 3 to 6 regiments in the Royal Army thru the Seven Years War. Napoleon had 12 Regiments. The fewer Hussars than Chasseurs was because of the greater expense entailed in the glamorous uniforms of the Hussars.
3d Hussar Regiment Dress Uniform
Lastly, after 1810 Napoleon added 9 regiments of Lancers to the Line.
The use of bearskin bonnets for elite troops was common. The demands of the many European wars of the period was pushing fur bearing animals to the brink. By 1810, many elite organizations were ordered to go to the common Shako instead.
The Coffin Handle Sabre Characteristics:
L'Hoste in Le Sabre devotes ten pages to various LC sabres he groups as "a la Hongroise". Petard, I assume following his mentor Aries, holds this " L shaped or Coffin Handled style as "Allemande (German)".
The Solingen LC is the application of a minimalist, oriental type saber, of a Persian variety, that is an effective slashy cutter, married to a flatter curve that facilitates use of the point. The blade is extremely thin in profile, but that slim line is anchored on a back blade similar to the heavier Austrian saber shown with it.
This is a good shot to suggest the difference in percussive robustness of the more traditional Austrian light saber and the Solingen.
Handling:
The Solingen is incredibly light. Just 21 ozs. It provides for quick actions with sharp wrist maneuvers. Applying shoulder strength to such a weapon will do you no good. Their isn't enough blade for it. There isn't a lot of space for a large hand. The Upper quillon is useful for thumb placement. Hand protection isn't provided by the sabre; you have to keep your hand out of the way.
CONCLUSION:
There is a story where the famous French Cavalry General, Lasalle, rides up to a group of his officers, draws saber and shows them his brand new toy. Very diminutive and sharp. He make a sweeping cut at a tree branch and watches the foible of the blade break off and fall to the ground. No one dares to breath. LaSalle doesn't say a word; just flips the sabre to the ground and trots off.
That came to mind as I opened the box. But this lil sabre is stiff and tough. There are marks indicating use and the scabbard is also punctuated with spur marks.
