British 1821 Pattern Light Cavalry Trooper’s Sword

ALTHOUGH THE PREVIOUS PATTERN (1796 Pattern Light Cavalry Trooper’s Sword) was a sword that had been heavily influenced by a design promoted by Major-General John Gaspard Le Marchant, it was still not completely successful in its original intention of rivalling swords carried by French cavalry troopers.  The lack of protection for the hand was a particularly serious problem as was the inability for the wide and curved blade to inflict mortal injuries on opponents. 

In 1821, a new design by sword maker, John Prosser of London (for both light and heavy cavalry) was presented to the Board of Ordnance.  Both patterns had vitually identical blades but differed in that the light cavalry pattern had a steel, three-bar hilt that went some way to addressing the problems of protection for the hand.  The blade was slightly curved with a flat back and broad fuller, double-edged for the last 10 inches.  The scabbard is of similar type to the heavy cavalry pattern. 

Whilst in service, the hilt was prone to breakages, the blade also broke easily and this was combined with a rather weak scabbard.   Modifications and strengthening of the sword and scabbard were undertaken over the next few years.

© 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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