British 1864 Pattern Cavalry Trooper’s Sword

THE 1864 PATTERN CAVALRY TROOPER’S SWORD  is rare and considering that it had such a long service life (18 years) before it was superseded by a new pattern (1882 Pattern), surviving examples are extremely scarce.  Numbers produced of this pattern (12,000 were manufactured by 1878) were not particularly high as this was a period when Britain was not actively engaged in any large scale conflicts. The military were probably minded to use existing supplies e.g. 1853 Pattern swords, until they were unserviceable, before issuing troops with this new pattern of sword.   It is also true that some regiments disliked the new pattern and asked to replace it with the old 1853 Pattern which was duly agreed.  This decision to adopt this new pattern was based solely on the need to change the hilt of the previous pattern rather than the blade.

The sword comprised a blade, grip and scabbard that is identical to the 1853 Pattern, with a newly designed bowl guard of sheet steel and distinctive “Maltese Cross” piercings.  There are also two sword knot slits to the rear of the hilt, a strange choice in terms of practicality, but it is thought that the R.S.A.F. (Royal Small Arms Factory) at Enfield, were possibly influenced by contemporary Austro-Hungarian swords that displayed two sword knot slits.

The first test of this pattern was during the Second Afghan War (1878-1880) with the inevitable complaints, most notably its tendency to be heavy in the hand and a guard that was deemed too small and restricting.  The inner sharp edge of the bowl guard also frayed the wearer’s uniform.

© 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

For more details please click on the images.