Ethnographic Arms & Armour - View Single Post - 1908/ 1912 Pattern British Army Cavalry Sword

Jim McDougall · 1st December 2006, 01:01 AM

Hi Katana,
As correctly observed by Tim and Fernando, this is a British M1897 sword for Infantry officers, and remained in use for dress occasions through present day. If possible get a close up of the brass 'proof mark' on the blade and this might have a clue to either maker or outfitter. It seems Wilkinson, who made the larger numbers of these often numerically stamped blades, however it seems they would have the name on the blade.

A few notes on British cavalry charges, a favorite subject of mine from many years ago, taken from "Charge to Glory" by James Lunt (1976, p.1)...

"...the charge will always remain the thing in which it will be the cavalrymans pride to die sword in hand".
(Cavalry Journal, 1909)

The author dedicated this book to his friend, Captain Arthur Sandeman, of the Central India Horse, who died March 21,1942 leading the last mounted charge in the history of British cavalry at Toungoo, Burma. He was leading a mounted contingent of the Burma Frontier Force in the defense of areas around Toungoo, the main base for the famed "Flying Tigers" (American Volunteer Group"), when they rode into an ambush. Sandeman instinctively raised his sword and over sixty Indian sowars with him, mostly Sikhs, charged with him into eternity.

You are correct that there was considerable use of swords in WWI, by all countries' forces and such use continued in various degree into WWII.

General George Patton, always the true cavalryman, designed his M1913 cavalry sabre after the straight bladed British M1908, also adding the huge bowl type guard. As the cavalry units were finally dismounted and consigned to being mechanized forces, the use of the sword in combat was virtually finished. Describing these times, General Patton claimed that "...the saddest moment in his life came when he stood at attention, weeping, as his cavalry regiment marched past to stack thier sabres for the last time". ("The Long Gray Line", Atkinson, p.58).

After this, many of the huge hilted sabres were cut down into combat knives at the outset of WWII, with the huge guards providing necessary hand protection in close combat. These became known as 'Anderson stillettos' (for the firm who performed these conversions).

Just a few notes and some unbridled romanticism

that seem well placed in response to your views and enjoyment of this sword. While uncertain why the hilt on this has been so modified , there has clearly often been distinct purpose for doing so, however odd it must seem to us now.

In one last note concerning these brave cavalrymen, I once had the honor of visiting a British Brigadier who had served on the Northwest Frontier of India, leading one of the last cavalry charges in those regions near the Khyber Pass in the early 1930's, Brig. Francis Ingall (author of "Last of the Bengal Lancers", Presidio, 1988).
As he talked, showing me the M1912 cavalry sabre he had carried in the charge, he would constantly and wistfully glance at the portrait of his beloved charger, his horse Eagerheart.
We spoke of a very close friend of his, also a cavalryman with the 3rd Indian cavalry, who also served in Burma during WWII, later becoming a General, Major Gen. S.Shahid Hamid. In his book "So They Rode and Fought", General Hamid has inscribed,
"A sharp talwar or sabre, a sharp lance, a sharp pair of spurs,
and above all a good heart"

I will never forget that day, and just wanted to share some of the passion that makes our collecting and study of these weapons so compelling.

All the best,
Jim

1st December 2006, 01:01 AM	#8
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,800	Hi Katana, As correctly observed by Tim and Fernando, this is a British M1897 sword for Infantry officers, and remained in use for dress occasions through present day. If possible get a close up of the brass 'proof mark' on the blade and this might have a clue to either maker or outfitter. It seems Wilkinson, who made the larger numbers of these often numerically stamped blades, however it seems they would have the name on the blade. A few notes on British cavalry charges, a favorite subject of mine from many years ago, taken from "Charge to Glory" by James Lunt (1976, p.1)... "...the charge will always remain the thing in which it will be the cavalrymans pride to die sword in hand". (Cavalry Journal, 1909) The author dedicated this book to his friend, Captain Arthur Sandeman, of the Central India Horse, who died March 21,1942 leading the last mounted charge in the history of British cavalry at Toungoo, Burma. He was leading a mounted contingent of the Burma Frontier Force in the defense of areas around Toungoo, the main base for the famed "Flying Tigers" (American Volunteer Group"), when they rode into an ambush. Sandeman instinctively raised his sword and over sixty Indian sowars with him, mostly Sikhs, charged with him into eternity. You are correct that there was considerable use of swords in WWI, by all countries' forces and such use continued in various degree into WWII. General George Patton, always the true cavalryman, designed his M1913 cavalry sabre after the straight bladed British M1908, also adding the huge bowl type guard. As the cavalry units were finally dismounted and consigned to being mechanized forces, the use of the sword in combat was virtually finished. Describing these times, General Patton claimed that "...the saddest moment in his life came when he stood at attention, weeping, as his cavalry regiment marched past to stack thier sabres for the last time". ("The Long Gray Line", Atkinson, p.58). After this, many of the huge hilted sabres were cut down into combat knives at the outset of WWII, with the huge guards providing necessary hand protection in close combat. These became known as 'Anderson stillettos' (for the firm who performed these conversions). Just a few notes and some unbridled romanticism that seem well placed in response to your views and enjoyment of this sword. While uncertain why the hilt on this has been so modified , there has clearly often been distinct purpose for doing so, however odd it must seem to us now. In one last note concerning these brave cavalrymen, I once had the honor of visiting a British Brigadier who had served on the Northwest Frontier of India, leading one of the last cavalry charges in those regions near the Khyber Pass in the early 1930's, Brig. Francis Ingall (author of "Last of the Bengal Lancers", Presidio, 1988). As he talked, showing me the M1912 cavalry sabre he had carried in the charge, he would constantly and wistfully glance at the portrait of his beloved charger, his horse Eagerheart. We spoke of a very close friend of his, also a cavalryman with the 3rd Indian cavalry, who also served in Burma during WWII, later becoming a General, Major Gen. S.Shahid Hamid. In his book "So They Rode and Fought", General Hamid has inscribed, "A sharp talwar or sabre, a sharp lance, a sharp pair of spurs, and above all a good heart" I will never forget that day, and just wanted to share some of the passion that makes our collecting and study of these weapons so compelling. All the best, Jim Last edited by Jim McDougall; 1st December 2006 at 02:53 AM.