Sword briquet

Jim McDougall · 13th January 2021, 09:33 PM

As David has noted, one of the biggest problems with military swords was the fact that they were often, if not typically, inadequately sharpened. In India, it is noted that the British cavalry had been dissatisfied with the cutting power or lack thereof of their sabers. They were dismayed at the horrifying cuts of the native warriors swords, only to discover that their swords carried blades from now obsolete M1796 sabers, but honed razor sharp and well oiled, kept in wood scabbards.

In the American Civil War, the cavalry was inadequately trained with the M1840 heavy dragoon saber (why it was called the 'old wristbreaker' ) and the inclination for sharpening was as noted, only as per ordered. Discipline among ranks was not exactly impressive, and men were inclined to worry more about guns than swords.
Literature I have read on sword injuries in the Civil War indicate few, hardly any, sword cut injuries, and those reported were 'blunt force trauma'.

As Mark well indicates, the use of a sword pommel or upper blade as a blunt weapon is more than common in close quarters melee, which would often be the case on ship decks.

midelburgo · 15th January 2021, 12:59 PM

After some reports along two centuries, the main use infantry troops gave to these swords was to chop wood for preparing their meals as there were not central kitchens. For wood, it is probably best a not too sharp edge.

13th January 2021, 09:33 PM	#1
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,194	As David has noted, one of the biggest problems with military swords was the fact that they were often, if not typically, inadequately sharpened. In India, it is noted that the British cavalry had been dissatisfied with the cutting power or lack thereof of their sabers. They were dismayed at the horrifying cuts of the native warriors swords, only to discover that their swords carried blades from now obsolete M1796 sabers, but honed razor sharp and well oiled, kept in wood scabbards. In the American Civil War, the cavalry was inadequately trained with the M1840 heavy dragoon saber (why it was called the 'old wristbreaker' ) and the inclination for sharpening was as noted, only as per ordered. Discipline among ranks was not exactly impressive, and men were inclined to worry more about guns than swords. Literature I have read on sword injuries in the Civil War indicate few, hardly any, sword cut injuries, and those reported were 'blunt force trauma'. As Mark well indicates, the use of a sword pommel or upper blade as a blunt weapon is more than common in close quarters melee, which would often be the case on ship decks.

15th January 2021, 12:59 PM	#2
midelburgo Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 264	After some reports along two centuries, the main use infantry troops gave to these swords was to chop wood for preparing their meals as there were not central kitchens. For wood, it is probably best a not too sharp edge.