THE SWORD, CAVALRY, PATTERN 1853, was the first attempt to produce a cavalry sword for issue to all regiments of the British Army that had at its core, the promotion of a truly cut and thrust blade. Designed by the sword maker, Charles Reeves and manufactured at the government weapon establishment at Enfield, London, it was an attempt to improve on the characteristics of both a heavy and light cavalry trooper’s sword blade, with the perceived hope that a stronger blade (including an innovative extension to form a solid tang, rather than the previously two-piece, welded form), would result in a measurable increase in strength and reliability.
The new blade was also heavier than previous patterns and comprised a narrower and deeper fuller, which it was hoped, would provide a more robust blade that avoided breakage and bending. The three-bar-hilt was steel and the riveted leather grip was slightly angled, with the intention of giving the swordsman better purchase on the sword. The scabbard is made from wrought iron with two bands, loose suspension rings and a shoe.
Unfortunately, the roundness and smoothness of the grip caused problems in the field, as it could easily slip out of a trooper’s hand and was unstable when attempting to cut and thrust. There were also complaints by the Army concerning the strength and durability of the blade. Many tests were carried out, resulting in a stalemate between Enfield and the Army, with Enfield complaining that they subjected the sword blades to unnatural forces. It saw service in the Crimea where it was not well received, with troopers reporting that the blade bent upon contact, with the result that many lives were lost unnecessarily.
© 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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