British Basket Hilt Cavalry

Jim McDougall · 18th November 2010, 07:51 PM

That truly is a beauty Manolo!!!!

While I cant add a great deal of detail at the moment without dragging out the references stashed away here in the bookmobile, I will say you are entirely correct this is English, as were most all basket hilts post '45.
What is most interesting is that this appears to be a cavalry sword as the much debated feature of the 'horsemans ring' appears in the structure of the hilt. This is dealt with the the venerable article by Anthony Darling back in the 70s I believe as well as several others. This aperture is believed to hold the reins through but there have been a number of suggestions.

In any case they appeared on the basket hilt swords issued to dragoon regiments as they developed in the English army after 1750. The King began to favor basket hilted swords for these mounted regiments and variations based on the famed Scottish swords evolved. I would say that the pommel is of Scottish character, as are many of the elements of the hilt including the rams head design and pierced saltires. Many of the more rank and file versions had unpierced saltires and other characteristic features.

Interestingly however, most of these cavalry swords were backswords, contrary to true Scottish hilts which were almost invariably broadswords.
Yours appears to be with a 19th century type broadsword blade of the type seen on swords such as the M1796 heavy cavalry officers dress swords, but I think some of these appeared on the 19th century regimental basket hilts.
That would seem incongruent with the apertured basket hilt here, which for cavalry disappeared with the advent of regulation swords in 1796.

All the best,
Jim

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18th November 2010, 07:51 PM	#2
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,196	That truly is a beauty Manolo!!!! While I cant add a great deal of detail at the moment without dragging out the references stashed away here in the bookmobile, I will say you are entirely correct this is English, as were most all basket hilts post '45. What is most interesting is that this appears to be a cavalry sword as the much debated feature of the 'horsemans ring' appears in the structure of the hilt. This is dealt with the the venerable article by Anthony Darling back in the 70s I believe as well as several others. This aperture is believed to hold the reins through but there have been a number of suggestions. In any case they appeared on the basket hilt swords issued to dragoon regiments as they developed in the English army after 1750. The King began to favor basket hilted swords for these mounted regiments and variations based on the famed Scottish swords evolved. I would say that the pommel is of Scottish character, as are many of the elements of the hilt including the rams head design and pierced saltires. Many of the more rank and file versions had unpierced saltires and other characteristic features. Interestingly however, most of these cavalry swords were backswords, contrary to true Scottish hilts which were almost invariably broadswords. Yours appears to be with a 19th century type broadsword blade of the type seen on swords such as the M1796 heavy cavalry officers dress swords, but I think some of these appeared on the 19th century regimental basket hilts. That would seem incongruent with the apertured basket hilt here, which for cavalry disappeared with the advent of regulation swords in 1796. All the best, Jim