Ethnographic Arms & Armour - View Single Post - British Infantry Officers Battle Swords in the 19th C...and up to 1914

Norman McCormick · Today, 01:29 PM

Hi Jim,
The officers heavy cavalry sword is actually the 1821 pattern with the 'honeysuckle' guard. I have a Wilkinson example dated to 1879. The 1821 pattern heavy cavalry officers sword was adopted by officers of the light cavalry in 1896 and was subsequently designated the universal cavalry officers pattern. The heavy cavalry continued to use the 1821 pattern until superseded in 1912.
The 1821 is still carried today by the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen at Arms. Attached is a photograph of the Wilkinson 1821 pattern H.C. (date 1879) sword against an 1821 pattern troopers L.C. sword by Osborn. You will notice the L.C. sword (pre 1840 production) is far more substantial than the later H.C. sword.
Regards,
Norman.

Ref., R. Dellar The British Cavalry Sword 1788-1912.

Today, 01:29 PM	#11
Norman McCormick Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 1,646	Hi Jim, The officers heavy cavalry sword is actually the 1821 pattern with the 'honeysuckle' guard. I have a Wilkinson example dated to 1879. The 1821 pattern heavy cavalry officers sword was adopted by officers of the light cavalry in 1896 and was subsequently designated the universal cavalry officers pattern. The heavy cavalry continued to use the 1821 pattern until superseded in 1912. The 1821 is still carried today by the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen at Arms. Attached is a photograph of the Wilkinson 1821 pattern H.C. (date 1879) sword against an 1821 pattern troopers L.C. sword by Osborn. You will notice the L.C. sword (pre 1840 production) is far more substantial than the later H.C. sword. Regards, Norman. Ref., R. Dellar The British Cavalry Sword 1788-1912. Attached Images Last edited by Norman McCormick; Today at 04:03 PM.