British 1853 Light Cavalry Sword

British 1853 Light Cavalry Sword

Although the 1822 Pattern Light Cavalry Saber gets the credit as the sword of the "Charge of the Light Brigade" the truth is that about half of the men involved carried the newly issued 1853 Pattern Cavalry Saber. The sword has a three-bar hilt reminiscent of the 1822 Pattern, but the similarities end there. Unlike the Pipe-Backed 1822, the 1853 has a fullered, slightly curved blade with a spear-point tip. It is intended to be both a thrusting and cutting sword, and while capable of both it does neither as well as a sword specialized in either function. This was largely because this was the first sword that would be issued to both light and heavy cavalry units, instead of the earlier practice of having a specialized cutting and an optimized thrusting sword for the different types of cavalry.

An utilitarian sword, the 1853 sword is the last three-bar hilt British sword, for guards of this type were found to be difficult to be repaired. Later British swords had largely solid-plate designs to overcome this. This was also the first British sword to have a large tang that formed part of the handle - an alteration resulting in greater durability. Many of these swords were sold and shipped to the Confederates during the American Civil War.

The guard is of steel and the grip is formed of two checkered, hard-rubber halves riveted to the thick tang. The base of the blade is inscribed with the replicated makers mark "John Harvey of Birmingham". Comes with a steel scabbard with two integrated hanging rings of steel.

British 1853 Light Cavalry Sword features

Steel: Tempered EN9 High Carbon Steel.
Overall Length: 41".
Blade: 35 5/8".
P.O.B.: 7 1/2".
Grip Length: 4 3/4".
Weight: 2 lb 7.6 oz.

British military swords and sabers.