British M1803 Flank Officer's Sword with Modification?

Will M · 12th December 2021, 04:04 PM

I see nothing to indicate that the blade has been shortened. The corrosion on the tip matches the rest of the blade. The point is done correctly and has corresponding fasle edge. It appears to have been made this way most likely for an officer of shorter stature. I would be interested in grip measurements as it appears to have corresponding size to the blade but with photos you can't be sure.

kronckew · 12th December 2021, 04:24 PM

On another note: Navy swords of the time used white grips for commissioned officers and dark grey or black for warrant officers. There was some fluctuations in this tho. I'm not sure how that went in the other services.

drac2k · 12th December 2021, 05:16 PM

The reason why I thought that the blade had been shortened was that the tip lacked its distinctive slashing configuration & was seemingly made more into a thrusting sword.
The handle measures 5.75".

Will M · 13th December 2021, 03:56 AM

The tip is a slashing type just not quite a hatchet point. If it was a thrusting tip the back of the blade would be ground down somewhat like what the British did to their 1796 HC swords. These swords as another member pointed out vary greatly, no pun intended.

Radboud · 13th December 2021, 06:23 AM

Like Will says, that style of tip is fairly common on British swords of the time. It creates a light but stiff blade.

My non-regulation grenadier officer’s sabre has the same style on a 830mm blade. And I’ve seen it on 1788 Pattern cavalry swords, hangers and flank officer sabres.

drac2k · 13th December 2021, 09:18 AM

A picture is worth a thousand words; it is nice to see another sword here on the thread with a similar tip to confirm my suspicions(and to allay my fears), that this purposely period done and not a backyard conversion for a broken tip.

13th December 2021, 06:23 AM	#5
Radboud Member Join Date: Sep 2021 Location: New Zealand Posts: 277	Like Will says, that style of tip is fairly common on British swords of the time. It creates a light but stiff blade. My non-regulation grenadier officer’s sabre has the same style on a 830mm blade. And I’ve seen it on 1788 Pattern cavalry swords, hangers and flank officer sabres. Attached Images

12th December 2021, 04:04 PM	#1
Will M Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: In the wee woods north of Napanee Ontario Posts: 394	I see nothing to indicate that the blade has been shortened. The corrosion on the tip matches the rest of the blade. The point is done correctly and has corresponding fasle edge. It appears to have been made this way most likely for an officer of shorter stature. I would be interested in grip measurements as it appears to have corresponding size to the blade but with photos you can't be sure.

12th December 2021, 04:24 PM	#2
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,216	On another note: Navy swords of the time used white grips for commissioned officers and dark grey or black for warrant officers. There was some fluctuations in this tho. I'm not sure how that went in the other services.

12th December 2021, 05:16 PM	#3
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,255	The reason why I thought that the blade had been shortened was that the tip lacked its distinctive slashing configuration & was seemingly made more into a thrusting sword. The handle measures 5.75".

13th December 2021, 03:56 AM	#4
Will M Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: In the wee woods north of Napanee Ontario Posts: 394	The tip is a slashing type just not quite a hatchet point. If it was a thrusting tip the back of the blade would be ground down somewhat like what the British did to their 1796 HC swords. These swords as another member pointed out vary greatly, no pun intended.

13th December 2021, 09:18 AM	#6
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,255	A picture is worth a thousand words; it is nice to see another sword here on the thread with a similar tip to confirm my suspicions(and to allay my fears), that this purposely period done and not a backyard conversion for a broken tip.