[Jim McDougall]

Norman, thank you so much for those important notes on the heavy cavalry officers swords!!! Perfectly explains the case with these officers swords, and quite honestly (I am more than a bit rusty as I have not been in this arena for decades!) I had entirely forgotten these developments.

Peter, as noted, this topic is quite fascinating, and while the title is directed toward the infantry swords for officers of the British army, it is difficult to adhere directly to those alone. The dynamics of British military swords overall were at play, and as can be seen, certain features of character and design had key influences into the sword patterns used by various elements and departments of the army.

With officers, the sword was not only a combat weapon, but a fashion and status oriented arm, and typically personally commissioned by many officers by outfitters who catered to their whims, but still followed basic the regulation patterns in degree.

Since these swords were privately purchased, and often not only costly but important elements of status oriented and personal accoutrement held for dress, parade and ceremonial occasions.

Officers had the option for using swords that were often simpler versions of the other ranks weapons, or often even variations of them, in the field or on campaign. These were casually known as officers 'fighting swords', which were typically more rugged and sound examples which followed some degree of uniformity, but in certain circumstances, especially in colonial contexts, these could deviate in many directions. This included the use of native weapons or swords using elements of these traditional forms.

This was very much the case with John Jacob, who like many British officers, who learned that it was important to be keenly aware of the ethnic and traditional sensitivities of the tribesmen they commanded. The designs in the hilts of the officers sword mentioned previously incorporated designs which were important in just this manner and was strategically intended.

In these colonial circumstances, the use of the sword by British officers in combat continued profoundly well into the 20th century, particularly in India.
In example, I once had the honor of interviewing a British Brigadier who as a young officer in the Khyber Agency in 1931, led one of the last cavalry charges wielding the M1912 sword for officers. It was an experience holding this weapon as he recounted his stories, as he had written his autobiography, "The Last of the Bengal Lancers", as he was in the 6th/13th Bengal Lancers regiment. The 13th had previously been known as "Watsons Horse" in the same manner as "Jacobs Horse" previously noted.

The photos were taken the day of that interview in the 90s at his home in Sonoma, Calif.; his 1912 officers sword; him on his horse just prior to that charge; Ge, Francis Ingall as we talked.....in this time he repeatedly glanced at the portrait of his 'charger' "Eagerheart" adoringly, and quite literally beamed as he described these events. The troopers sword was of the 13th and inscribed 13 BL........thus promptly identifying one of these I have had for years (pictured with scabbard) unmarked....but made by Bourne & Son (a subcontractor for Wilkinson) probably 1890s for the India dept.,

I can imagine I was as well, as I thought of watching 'Bengal Lancers' films repeatedly as a boy, and was ever fascinated by the 'Khyber Pass'. Here I was actually talking to a British officer who was there!!!

Getting to the constant controversy over blade design, it was said that the British M1908 cavalry sword was one of the finest designs ever achieved, and that it universally served both requirements for cut and thrust. The legendary Wilkinson sword firm masterfully produced these.

In WWI during what was known as the Mesopotamian campaigns, in Palestine British cavalry commanded by General Allenby were equipped with these swords, covered entirely in leather both hilt and scabbard, for not only protection from heat and sun, but the revealing glint.

General Allenby proclaimed , " men....you may go into the field without your breeches....but you WILL carry your sword!!!"

These distinctively appointed M1908 swords were accordingly termed with the eponym 'Allenby Swords'.

On the other hand, in the US, General George Patton, designed the huge cavalry sword, the M1913, which like the M1908 was deemed a brilliant sword. Ironically, even with the outbreak of WWI, these never went to the lines, nor was it ever used in combat. A skilled horseman as well as swordsman, Patton was ever disappointed, and as cavalry was reorganized into armored units, it was said that his face was lined with tears as his men stacked their swords for the last time.

ADDENDUM:

Brigadier Ingall was delighted with my story of my driving down the freeway with lances (indeed from Bengal Lancers) protruding with T-tops off my Corvette!! as recounted in my recent interview.