First Impressions of Windlass’ Patton Sword
Jun 19, 2019 21:45:46 GMT
Post by pgandy on Jun 19, 2019 21:45:46 GMT
This was my initial thoughts of Windlass’ Patton Sword that I sent to a forumite and his reaction and he suggested posting to the forum. Rather than tacking it onto the end of someone else’s thread I thought best to start a new thread.
Thanks for the review.
You could send it straight in to SBG.
Dave was also very keen on the Windlass M1913. As he has at least one original you should talk to him I think.
Anyway glad to see at least this one getting through without so much trouble. Now the other one too....
……………..
I always liked the Patton blade. The hilt not so much, but I understand where it is coming from. Thought of buying one to mount the blade on a rapier hilt.
Your remarks make me think Windlass may have gotten hold of the old dies. It is said it is an almost perfect copy.
………………..
Cheers
On Wed, Jun 19, 2019 at 3:56 AM Paul Gandy <xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
As requested my thoughts on the Windlass' Patton Sword.
The M1913 arrived this a.m., coming through speedily without a hitch. I wish all went that smoothly. After years of frustration and $$$$$$$$ I’ve learned the secret, though not cheap only cheaper. The shipping and fees on this $169.95 swords was $107, and that was with ACC’s free shipping. There have been times I paid that much alone to a lawyer alone.
As for my opinion of the sword, that would depend on what criteria I’m judging from. From your point of view I dare say excellent. It came well packed in grease. The amount and colour reminded me of cosmoline of the old days, except this was a little clearer in spots but still brown, not as viscos, and with plastic and not paper wrapping. The inner cardboard box that it came in appears to show the effects of moisture but the sword itself was safe. This is one that I believe ACC found in a corner as they for the last several months, like everyone else were out of stock, then within the last month "one" magically appeared. The sword and the scabbard are more solid than I normally expect from Windlass. In fact if I was 50 years younger and a trooper I’d be very confident carrying this. It doesn’t come close to having a toy like feel that I got from their M1860 Officer’s Model. All parts are well executed and the fit is near perfect. The fullers run true except for a very minor enlargement on the proximal end and are the best defined of any Windlass sword I have. There is an actual corner and comes close to matching what I have become to expect from Universal, but not quite there yet. Less of a mirror polish than on my other Windasses, I can live with it but when I get around to sharpening it’s gone. Windlass’ logo is laser printed? on the ricasso that I’ll polish off. Everything is rock solid and no whip in blade. This is definitely a step up from what I expect from Windlass. I don’t know from which run the sword was made, could be recent or from a few years back.
Overall I like the scabbard for what it is, a far cry from the traditional Windlass presentations. But judging from historical accuracy I have a big question mark although the possible difference is not all that great. I’ll say up front I’ve had no experience with the authentic M1913 sword but had many knives and bayonets in my collection from that period. The colour of those were a lighter shade, and the weave in the canvas courser. In addition, the fabric was more like a sleeve that the core slide into. With Windlass the weave is finer, and is not removable, but glued in place with no stitching. It also appears to be coated with something that may be able to clean off. I’ll cross that bridge later. The fit and construction are excellent.
The only measurement I’ve made, due to the grease is the weight which is 1.41 kg, a tad heavier then KoA’s 3 lb listing. The PoB is approximately 3” as listed by KoA. I find the grip comfortable though a bit squarish and especially like the moulded in thumb rest. Having said that, with the fresh checkering a glove makes for more comfort. The guard gives me a more secure feeling than any I’ve come across. I don’t know how it compares with the original. I had a chance about 50 years back to buy one but I wasn’t into swords at the time, firearms and knives/bayonets and didn’t want to start something new although I did have my cadet sword and a WWII gifted katana.
Judging from me using the sword, I’ll give it a lower rating. I find cavalry swords not to my liking requiring more room than I have. That is my short coming and will not knock the sword for that. If I were mounted in the open my view would be different. The M1913 is not agile and is more blade heavy as I would like for being on foot. I have no immediate desire to cut with it and it will remain unsharpened for the time being. Sort of like my Princess of Wales, I’ll admire it but probably not use it. Both have that sense of solidness.
All in all I think Windlass made a reasonably faithful reproduction of this sword and it has a place in my collection. I have a copy of the manual which caters to the sword being used while mounted, far more than unmounted. After all, it is a cavalry sword. I’ll use the near future trying to learn the sword and its secrets.
Thanks for the review.
You could send it straight in to SBG.
Dave was also very keen on the Windlass M1913. As he has at least one original you should talk to him I think.
Anyway glad to see at least this one getting through without so much trouble. Now the other one too....
……………..
I always liked the Patton blade. The hilt not so much, but I understand where it is coming from. Thought of buying one to mount the blade on a rapier hilt.
Your remarks make me think Windlass may have gotten hold of the old dies. It is said it is an almost perfect copy.
………………..
Cheers
On Wed, Jun 19, 2019 at 3:56 AM Paul Gandy <xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
As requested my thoughts on the Windlass' Patton Sword.
The M1913 arrived this a.m., coming through speedily without a hitch. I wish all went that smoothly. After years of frustration and $$$$$$$$ I’ve learned the secret, though not cheap only cheaper. The shipping and fees on this $169.95 swords was $107, and that was with ACC’s free shipping. There have been times I paid that much alone to a lawyer alone.
As for my opinion of the sword, that would depend on what criteria I’m judging from. From your point of view I dare say excellent. It came well packed in grease. The amount and colour reminded me of cosmoline of the old days, except this was a little clearer in spots but still brown, not as viscos, and with plastic and not paper wrapping. The inner cardboard box that it came in appears to show the effects of moisture but the sword itself was safe. This is one that I believe ACC found in a corner as they for the last several months, like everyone else were out of stock, then within the last month "one" magically appeared. The sword and the scabbard are more solid than I normally expect from Windlass. In fact if I was 50 years younger and a trooper I’d be very confident carrying this. It doesn’t come close to having a toy like feel that I got from their M1860 Officer’s Model. All parts are well executed and the fit is near perfect. The fullers run true except for a very minor enlargement on the proximal end and are the best defined of any Windlass sword I have. There is an actual corner and comes close to matching what I have become to expect from Universal, but not quite there yet. Less of a mirror polish than on my other Windasses, I can live with it but when I get around to sharpening it’s gone. Windlass’ logo is laser printed? on the ricasso that I’ll polish off. Everything is rock solid and no whip in blade. This is definitely a step up from what I expect from Windlass. I don’t know from which run the sword was made, could be recent or from a few years back.
Overall I like the scabbard for what it is, a far cry from the traditional Windlass presentations. But judging from historical accuracy I have a big question mark although the possible difference is not all that great. I’ll say up front I’ve had no experience with the authentic M1913 sword but had many knives and bayonets in my collection from that period. The colour of those were a lighter shade, and the weave in the canvas courser. In addition, the fabric was more like a sleeve that the core slide into. With Windlass the weave is finer, and is not removable, but glued in place with no stitching. It also appears to be coated with something that may be able to clean off. I’ll cross that bridge later. The fit and construction are excellent.
The only measurement I’ve made, due to the grease is the weight which is 1.41 kg, a tad heavier then KoA’s 3 lb listing. The PoB is approximately 3” as listed by KoA. I find the grip comfortable though a bit squarish and especially like the moulded in thumb rest. Having said that, with the fresh checkering a glove makes for more comfort. The guard gives me a more secure feeling than any I’ve come across. I don’t know how it compares with the original. I had a chance about 50 years back to buy one but I wasn’t into swords at the time, firearms and knives/bayonets and didn’t want to start something new although I did have my cadet sword and a WWII gifted katana.
Judging from me using the sword, I’ll give it a lower rating. I find cavalry swords not to my liking requiring more room than I have. That is my short coming and will not knock the sword for that. If I were mounted in the open my view would be different. The M1913 is not agile and is more blade heavy as I would like for being on foot. I have no immediate desire to cut with it and it will remain unsharpened for the time being. Sort of like my Princess of Wales, I’ll admire it but probably not use it. Both have that sense of solidness.
All in all I think Windlass made a reasonably faithful reproduction of this sword and it has a place in my collection. I have a copy of the manual which caters to the sword being used while mounted, far more than unmounted. After all, it is a cavalry sword. I’ll use the near future trying to learn the sword and its secrets.