British 1796 HCS pattern blade shape

Jim McDougall · 17th September 2024, 05:02 PM

The first account I recall of this (and by memory only, I dont have the exact notes) was when the Royal Scots Greys were departing for Belgium in 1815, prior to their immortal action at Waterloo. They were ordered to grind the backs of the blades on their 1796 heavy cavalry swords to a 'spear point'.

I am not sure how widely this modification was taken with other units of heavy cavalry, but it seems that the objective to to move toward the thrust, which was most effectively used by the French. After the end of the Napoleonic campaigns it seems that the 1796 swords were collectively modified by removing the inner section of the disc, as well as the langets (I believe) in addition to going to a spear point.

After the end of the war, there was little if any production of swords for other ranks with those in service remaining in use until the advent of the M1821/1829 bowl guard pattern.

These anecdotes sound rather apocryphal, as I cannot imagine a 'duel' with these heavy awkward chopping swords, and how is one 'accidentally' killed by a sword point? and the chances of a sword falling to the ground and somehow secured in position for someone to fall on it, presumably in the same moments.

John Morgan, years ago, wrote a brilliant article on the M1796 Heavy Cavalry sword in "Classic Arms and Militaria"(I'll see if I can find it).

I'd love to see these bizarre sounding tales and know more on their source.

17th September 2024, 05:02 PM	#2
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,194	The first account I recall of this (and by memory only, I dont have the exact notes) was when the Royal Scots Greys were departing for Belgium in 1815, prior to their immortal action at Waterloo. They were ordered to grind the backs of the blades on their 1796 heavy cavalry swords to a 'spear point'. I am not sure how widely this modification was taken with other units of heavy cavalry, but it seems that the objective to to move toward the thrust, which was most effectively used by the French. After the end of the Napoleonic campaigns it seems that the 1796 swords were collectively modified by removing the inner section of the disc, as well as the langets (I believe) in addition to going to a spear point. After the end of the war, there was little if any production of swords for other ranks with those in service remaining in use until the advent of the M1821/1829 bowl guard pattern. These anecdotes sound rather apocryphal, as I cannot imagine a 'duel' with these heavy awkward chopping swords, and how is one 'accidentally' killed by a sword point? and the chances of a sword falling to the ground and somehow secured in position for someone to fall on it, presumably in the same moments. John Morgan, years ago, wrote a brilliant article on the M1796 Heavy Cavalry sword in "Classic Arms and Militaria"(I'll see if I can find it). I'd love to see these bizarre sounding tales and know more on their source.