BOTH THE 1908 AND 1912 Pattern Swords have long been regarded as the epitome of British sword design. The military authorities believed that they had finally produced a regulation sword whose effectiveness in combat could not be doubted. It is therefore a massive irony that both patterns were introduced when the use of the sword in the battlefield had become almost irrelevant, barring a few notable engagements during WW1, particularly in Palestine. Despite this, the obsession within the British
Army to arm their combatants with swords was as strong as ever in the 1900‘s, despite mounting evidence that future wars would be fought with machine guns and heavy artillery.
The 1908 Pattern Trooper’s Sword is a very attractive weapon with a pistol grip and rapier-type blade. It more than answered the old argument of thrusting versus slashing blades. It became a form of short lance when the trooper fully extended his arm in the charge and the pistol grip allowed for an extraordinary level of balance which had never been experienced before. The grip also saw the early use of a form of plastic (Dermatine) in the construction of the grips.
There is also a pattern specially made for use in India that is marked “I(ndia) P(attern)’08” to the blade edge. It has a reduced bowl guard and grip which suited the smaller hand of the Indian soldier. Early versions featured a walnut grip, later reverting to Dermatine for economic reasons. Examples issued during the First World War are normally painted khaki or olive green. Rare pieces also have an anti-glare leather covering to the guard.
© Harvey Withers Military Publishing, 2024