Cavalry sabre with a parabolic blade

[fernando]

Thanks a lot, Norman for the "1803" key, without which my previous browsings gave no result. And thanks again for the recent post with the images.
I know, i might be the stubborn character but, i didn't see in the flankers sword version an implicit connection with the blade curvature; pretending that (quoting you) vagaries of fashion would basicaly apply to period context ... flankers or not. Actually when considering flanking action by footmen, extreme curvature of sabres would have an even more clumsy efect, as you so well approach. I also had the impression in my browsing that, most articles dedicated to (1803) flanker swords, are more foccused in the hilt (lion and all) and only eventualy in 'overcurved' blades.
In other words, i didn't yet see evidence or a clear expression in that one thing belongs to the other ... or i am missing something ... which wouldn't surprise me ... i am playing by ear .

[fernando]

Now, look at this one.
So called Light Cavalry Sabre for Personal Gear, War production.
From the work ARMAMENTO ESPAÑOL EN LA GUERRA DE LA INDEPENDENCIA 1788-1814 de Juan L. Calvó Pascual.
(Don Calvó has once offered me a copy)
This example, marked and produced in 1811 (Cadiz), with more 2 cms. length and less 5 m/m flecha (bow) has almost the same curvature as mine.
Could it be that this Spanish model inspired the making of mine ... in such case not a freelancer but a regular weapon ?

-

[Richard G]

Now I have to justify my comment, and its not that easy. This may be one of many old British collector's myths whereby the conclusion is drawn from the characteristics of the sword rather than an extraneous source.

If we are talking about the band of a light cavalry regiment then Fernando has already stated the basis of the argument;
" Its blade curvature may not be the greatest out there, but is already within the not practical but exhibionist range. I wouldn't be surprised if the owner had this one for showing off in the streets and palace corridors and used a more 'reasonable' example for going into battle"
- and for showing off, is what a band sword is.

I have seen a few of these shorter, lighter and more curved versions of the 1796 Light Cavalry sabre that seem so designed NOT to drag on the ground and to minimise the inconvenience of having to carry it around. I have one with a brass hilt and scabbard (which unfortunately I can't get to today) which is so light and curved it is almost impossible to think of it as anything other than a band sword. A smaller, less clunking, version of the standard pattern for a specific purpose would not be unique. For example, British horse Artillery drivers were issued with a shortened version of the standard 1821 light cavalry sabre designed to minimise interference when going about their "gunning" duties.

Band swords weren't regulated until the mid 19th Cent. and Fernando's sword predates that.

It could also be a Infantry Flank Company Officers sword. In the light company, with greater emphasis being placed on mobility, a shorter, lighter sword would seem a logical choice. It seems to be well well documented that Rifle Regiment and light infantry officers had a penchant for the 1796 light cavalry sword

I will keep looking, in the meantime I attach a picture of the Coldstream Guards Band in 1851. I know the hilt is different but the blade configuration seems to fit.

Regards
Richard

[graeme gt]

Hi Guys , This is my Flank officers sword .

[graeme gt]

Sorry about poor pics here are some more .

[kronckew]

my curviest sword

looks positively straight by comparison. if you cut at someone with one of those flankers the sweet spot wouldn't contact until the day after!

[fernando]

Originally Posted by kronckew

... if you cut at someone with one of those flankers the sweet spot wouldn't contact until the day after!

Not if you use the inner side of the blade ... you know, like a sickle

[kronckew]

falx or rhompheia!

found on an ancient roman digital slr's memory card

or my
ginunting?

or my salyan khukuri


when i cut with them, i check to see what fell apart a half hour ago, then cut where they would have been now.

[Jim McDougall]

Originally Posted by kronckew

my curviest sword

looks positively straight by comparison. if you cut at someone with one of those flankers the sweet spot wouldn't contact until the day after!

This is exactly the question that has been on my mind from the beginning on this dramatically curved blade topic......how effective, if at all, would these deep curved sabre blades be? As far as I have been able to see, this is more of a fashion oriented feature, as also thought by Fernando and Norman as well in our discussion.
The remarkable example shown by Glen, which is from discussion some time ago, and believed Russian, is certainly a quintessant example of the pragmatic folly of such extreme feature as a blade of such curve.

As noted by Fernando, it would be quite different if this were indeed a sickle blade, with the cutting edge inside, which as known are quite effective in their own respect, but would not be necessarily so on a moving horse. In that respect they would effectively 'hook' the target, so would eliminate the potential for the draw cut as normally favored in many sabre techniques.

Turning to the band sword idea, it should be noted of course that band members are typically non combatant and the sidearms worn by them were usually shorter and straight, more like pioneer and artillery swords. It does seem possible that the curved sabre might have been used with regard to the fashion element. I do have a brass hilt band sword, in a form known c.1840s which is a short curved sabre .

[graeme gt]

This 1796 of mine is a really well made example but is vergeing on the impractable in my opinion .