Portuguese cavalry saber

Jim McDougall · 18th October 2018, 02:47 AM

While not relevent specifically to the matter of the nationality of this sword I was curious on the actual origin of this pattern M1821 form and it seems John Prosser, a London maker proposed the three bar design directly to George IV in 1820.
Harry Gill & Co of Soho had designed two bar guards added to knucklebow to provide hand protection to the stirrup hilt style of the 1796.
According to Richard Dellar ("The British Cavalry Sword 1788-1912: Some New Perspectives", 2013, pp.117-118). ..this was probably based on the French Modeles ANIX (1800-01) and ANXI (1802-03) which both had two bars off the knucklebow. Gill had produced these prototypes c. 1812-17.

Prosser proposed the design for a three bar guard directly to George IV who approved the pattern without the Board of Ordnance.

It seems this type sword has had an intriguing history beyond the period of its regulation use c.1821-53, along with this interesting occurrence in Spain and Portugal.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Switch to Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Threaded Mode

18th October 2018, 02:47 AM	#12
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,196	While not relevent specifically to the matter of the nationality of this sword I was curious on the actual origin of this pattern M1821 form and it seems John Prosser, a London maker proposed the three bar design directly to George IV in 1820. Harry Gill & Co of Soho had designed two bar guards added to knucklebow to provide hand protection to the stirrup hilt style of the 1796. According to Richard Dellar ("The British Cavalry Sword 1788-1912: Some New Perspectives", 2013, pp.117-118). ..this was probably based on the French Modeles ANIX (1800-01) and ANXI (1802-03) which both had two bars off the knucklebow. Gill had produced these prototypes c. 1812-17. Prosser proposed the design for a three bar guard directly to George IV who approved the pattern without the Board of Ordnance. It seems this type sword has had an intriguing history beyond the period of its regulation use c.1821-53, along with this interesting occurrence in Spain and Portugal.