British 1788 Pattern Light Cavalry Officer’s Sword

OFFICERS OF LIGHT CAVALRY REGIMENTS carried a very similar sword to troopers and can be distinguished by the addition of engraved decoration to the blade and a ferrule at the base of the grip.  The quality of manufacture was normally higher but the style and dimensions are pretty much the same.

This pattern does exhibit some regimental variations, including hilts of “attack” form, comprising a folding, three-bar arrangement that could be opened up in combat and added extra protection to the hand.  This style of sword is known to have been carried by officers in the 15th Light Dragoons and is likely to have been influenced by contemporary French light cavalry regiments.  The complete lack of protection to the sword hand is a feature of this pattern and was obviously not a consideration when the authorities approved the pattern and would be a feature of British Army light cavalry patterns for the next hundred years.

Blades were slightly curved and usually took the form of one narrow fuller at the back of the blade, with another broader fuller extending for most of the length of the blade.  This type of blade is of French style and known as ‘`a la Montmorency’.

© 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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