British 1803 Pattern Infantry Officer’s Sword

BY  1800, THIS PARTICULAR TYPE OF CURVED SABRE had already been unofficially adopted by many light infantry and rifle officers, and it was only a matter of time before official recognition came in 1803.  The choice of a curved sabre, in contrast to the straight-bladed sword carried by most infantry officers at that time, (the 1796 Pattern Infantry Officer’s Sword) was a direct response to experience gained in previous conflicts such as the American Revolutionary War (1775-1783), where fighting in dense, closely packed wooded areas, called for a versatile sword that was not as rigid and cumbersome as the more traditional infantry swords with their long and straight blades. There was also an element of elitism attached to this choice as officers of these regiments regarded themselves as distinct from standard regiments of the line and engaged in more daring and dangerous work.  It is one of the most attractive of British pattern swords, with a number of variations in design, most notably to the royal cypher on the knucklebow and lionshead pommel. 

The standard type of this pattern comprises a hilt of gilt brass with rounded knucklebow displaying a pierced or moulded royal cypher.  Some examples also have a slot for a sword knot near the pommel.  The knucklebow commonly features either a strung bugle or flaming grenade above the royal crown, denoting use by both grenadiers and rifle companies.  Blades are also found with engraved blue and gilt decoration although most examples found today have lost their original colour.

Although this blade type is probably more suited to the cavalry (its curved blade would have been more effective when slashed from the saddle), style over substance seems to have won the day.  Lieutenant William Smith of the 77th Foot (Middlesex Regiment) carried this pattern as he “hewed and slashed his way through the enemy” before succumbing to his many wounds at the Battle of Ciudad Rodrigo (1812) in the Peninsular War (1808-1814).  Blades are also commonly marked to the German sword importer, J.J. Runkel, who supplied large numbers of these blades to the English sword making trade.

Sword grips are noted in a range of materials, including leather, fishskin and ivory (this being reserved for officers of senior rank).  Scabbards are normally leather with gilt mounts and two loose hanging rings attached to the locket and middle band.

© 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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