British 1786 Pattern Infantry Officer’s Sword

THE OFFICIAL REGULATION British infantry officer’s sword of the late-18th Century was the 1786 Pattern Infantry Officer’s Sword.  It was adopted soon after the abolition of the Officer’s and NCO’s Spontoon, or half pike, which had become little more than a symbol of authority in the field of battle, rather than an effective combat weapon.  It was officially withdrawn on the 3rd April 1786 and a new sword pattern was introduced by order of the Adjutant-General:

“His Majesty having been pleas’d to order that the Espontoon shall be laid aside & that, in lieu thereof of the Battalion Officers are, for the future, to make use of Swords, it is His Majesty’s Pleasure, that the Officers of Infantry Corps, shall be provided with a strong, substantial, Uniform-Sword, the Blade of which is to be straight, & made to cut & thrust; – to be one Inch at least broad at the Shoulder, & 32 Inches in Length;- The Hilt, if not of Steel, is to be either Gilt or Silver, according to the Colour of the Buttons on the Uniforms – & the Sword Knot, to be Crimson & Gold in the stripes, as required by the present Regulation (the 1768 Warrant).”

No mention in these orders were made to the actual specifications of the hilt and officers from flank and grenadier companies are not included so could apparently, continue with sword types that they were currently carrying.  The standardisation of the 1786 Pattern was focused mainly on the requirement for a blade of 32 inches (1 inch minimum width at the shoulder) that could cut and thrust effectively.  The specifics of the hilt were not mentioned.  It was therefore decided that regimental Colonels could make the decision as to the style of the hilt but it appears that over time, a common hilt type emerged.  This took the form of a straight knucklebow with fluted or ribbed ivory, horn or ebony grips and cushion, vase or urn-shaped pommels.  Many examples have a central “cigar band” to the grip where an engraved regimental number or owner’s initials could be added.

The pattern also features a loose ring to the top of the knucklebow and pommel where a sword knot could be attached.  An inset diamond-shape or badge to the forward guard is noted on early examples and “beaded” or “five-ball” decoration is also commonly encountered. Hilts are found in a range of materials, including gilt brass, steel and silver.

© Harvey Withers Military Publishing, 2024

Taken from The British Sword – From 1600 to the Present Day – An Illustrated History by Harvey J S Withers – 12,000 full colour photographs – 884 pages

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