Sabre washers

Will M · 10th January 2022, 10:20 PM

You can replace a leather washer that slides under the blade shoulders.
Just cut the blade hole to a shorter length, the leather will stretch over the blade and then slip under the blade shoulders. I've done this with several swords with success. A thicker leather is usually needed and you'll need to find a leather outlet such as The Identity Store Ltd (UK). I have used them for white buff leather and other leathers difficult to find.

Tuthmose · 14th January 2022, 12:36 AM

Thank you all for your insight; it is appreciated. I apologize for the late reply - being a teacher these days is . . . not fun.

I am assuming it would be difficult to tell if a washer was of the "under shoulder" type simply from pictures of a particular piece, as a missing washer would have allowed the guard to shift forwards into the gap and seat against the shoulders of the blade?

Best regards,
-Ron

Tuthmose · 29th January 2022, 02:57 PM

A minor follow-up of sorts, just in case anybody else ever has this line of inquiry and finds this post: having acquired one, I can definitely say that the leather washer on the French Infantry Adjudant 1845/55 is a weather-seal only; looking at images, it appears to be the case for many related French sabres of that period.

10th January 2022, 10:20 PM	#1
Will M Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: In the wee woods north of Napanee Ontario Posts: 394	You can replace a leather washer that slides under the blade shoulders. Just cut the blade hole to a shorter length, the leather will stretch over the blade and then slip under the blade shoulders. I've done this with several swords with success. A thicker leather is usually needed and you'll need to find a leather outlet such as The Identity Store Ltd (UK). I have used them for white buff leather and other leathers difficult to find.

14th January 2022, 12:36 AM	#2
Tuthmose Member Join Date: Dec 2021 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 13	Thank you all for your insight; it is appreciated. I apologize for the late reply - being a teacher these days is . . . not fun. I am assuming it would be difficult to tell if a washer was of the "under shoulder" type simply from pictures of a particular piece, as a missing washer would have allowed the guard to shift forwards into the gap and seat against the shoulders of the blade? Best regards, -Ron

29th January 2022, 02:57 PM	#3
Tuthmose Member Join Date: Dec 2021 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 13	A minor follow-up of sorts, just in case anybody else ever has this line of inquiry and finds this post: having acquired one, I can definitely say that the leather washer on the French Infantry Adjudant 1845/55 is a weather-seal only; looking at images, it appears to be the case for many related French sabres of that period.