THERE ARE MANY DIFFERENT Napoleonic cavalry officers’ sword types and when an officer was not bound by (or chose to ignore) specific official regulations with regard to the style of sword that he should carry, then personal choice and financial circumstances, became the overriding factors in his choice of sword.
For most officers, particularly of light cavalry regiments, both in the regular army and the volunteer yeomanry, swords tended to be based around the style of the 1796 Pattern Light Cavalry Officer’s Sword, with stirrup or D-shaped guards and plain or lionshead pommels. There are also number of swords with attractive horse-head pommels in silver and it is most likely that they were carried by volunteer cavalry officers, as it was definitely not an official pattern.
Blades are normally of curved form and similar to regulation light cavalry types with regard to length and dimensions, although some are known to be much wider and curved, featuring extensive blue and gilt decoration. The accompanying scabbards are also very impressive, with elaborate gilt brass engraving and embossed designs with patriotic motifs such as Britannia, rampant lions, Union Jacks, cannons and martial trophies. A number of these swords still survive in excellent condition and many were given as presentation swords in honour of senior officers and commanders of volunteer cavalry regiments, who would never have seen any action outside of their own native county.
© 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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