Gothic hilted British infantry swords facts for kids
Gothic hilted swords were special swords used by officers and some NCOs in the British Army. They were carried from 1822 all the way up to today! These swords were mostly for infantry (foot soldiers). However, other officers like surgeons and staff officers also used them.
The name "Gothic hilt" comes from how the sword's handle guard looks. Its curved parts reminded people of the arched windows and designs in Gothic architecture. These swords looked very elegant and beautiful. But some people thought they weren't the best for actual fighting. Still, these swords and their different versions were used for a very long time.
Eventually, the Gothic hilted swords were replaced by the 1897 pattern British infantry officer's sword. This happened in a few steps. First, the 1822 blade was changed in 1845. Then, the 1845 blade was replaced by a new thrusting blade in 1892. Finally, a new steel hilt (handle) was added in 1895, which was slightly updated in 1897.
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How Officers Got Their Swords
The army gave swords to infantry sergeants and cavalry troopers. But officers had to buy their own equipment. They were supposed to buy a sword that matched an official design.
However, some army groups had their own special rules. Some even let officers choose slightly different swords. This is why you can find small differences between swords. Also, different sword makers might have made them a little differently.
Officers could even buy a blade of their own choice. As long as it looked mostly like the official sword when worn, it was usually fine. So, the exact length, curve, and width of the blades could vary. A few officers even chose completely different types of blades!
Companies like Wilkinson of Pall Mall sold many kinds of officers' swords. They came in various lengths, curves, and widths. But they all generally followed the basic rules for each part of the army.
The 1822 Infantry Officer's Sword
New rules in 1822 said a new sword was needed. It was meant to replace older swords like the 1803 sabre and the 1796 infantry sword.
This new sword had a blade about 32.5 inches (82.5 cm) long. It was slightly curved and had a "pipe-back" design. This meant it had a flat, single-edged blade. A nearly straight rod ran along the back of the blade. Near the tip, there was a "false-edge," sometimes called a "quill-point."
This blade style was likely invented by a maker named Prosser in London. It first appeared on light cavalry swords around 1810–1815. This design was then used for the narrower 1822 infantry officers' sword. The 1822 blades often had etched designs. These included the king's or queen's special symbol. The pipe-backed blade was very light for its size and had a very sharp edge.
The sword's handle, called a "half-basket" hilt, was made of gilded brass. It had the classic Gothic shape. The monarch's symbol was part of the guard design. The hilt had a fancy pommel (the knob at the end of the handle) and a backstrap. These parts covered the end and back of the grip.
The grip was made of wood and covered in shark skin, called shagreen. This gave it a rough surface for a good hold. Brass, copper, or silver wire was wrapped around the grip. The inner part of the guard could fold towards the blade. This made it easier for the sword to rest against the officer's side when worn.
The pipe-back design was supposed to make the blade stronger for thrusting and cutting. However, the blade was often quite flexible and light. The half-basket guard offered better hand protection than older swords. But the brass could be fragile on some swords. Many old swords show damage or repairs. Later in the 1800s, experts noted that these brass guards could break from strong blows. This happened when fighting powerful cutting swords like Indian tulwars.
The 1845 Infantry Officer's Sword
In 1845, the pipe-backed blade was replaced. Henry Wilkinson designed the new blade. This new blade was slightly curved and good for both cutting and thrusting. It was generally the same length as the old one.
However, the new blade had a single, wide groove (fuller) and a flat back. It did not have the pipe-back design. It also had a symmetrical spear-point instead of a quill-point. It was basically a curved backsword blade with a better point. This new blade was a bit heavier and stronger than the 1822 pipe-back. This new blade was also used for cavalry, engineers, and artillery officers' swords in 1845. Naval officers' swords adopted it in 1846.
The hilt (handle) stayed mostly the same as the 1822 design. But after 1845, brass guards tended to be made thicker and stronger. The hinged guard flap, which was common since 1822, started to disappear in the 1850s. By around 1860, it was almost always replaced by a solid brass guard. This change is sometimes called the "1854 pattern." But it wasn't an official new pattern. The change just happened gradually in the late 1850s. Wilkinson was still making swords with folding inner guards until 1859. They didn't switch to solid guards until 1860. The 1845 blade itself remained unchanged.
Comparing the 1822 and 1845 blades shows the new weapon was better. It was stiffer and stronger. It had a tougher edge and was a little heavier. The symmetrical spear-point was much better for piercing. So, the blade was better for cutting, thrusting, and defending. People at the time liked the new blade. It was adopted by almost everyone within a year.
Experienced officers who bought their own fighting swords also chose this blade type. For example, Major Hodson and Brigadier-General Jacob picked this blade for their custom swords. Other countries' armies even copied it. Original sharp examples and replicas work well in cutting tests. They are just as good as other backsword and sabre types.
Between 1845 and 1892, when the 1845 blade was used, blades tended to get straighter. This was a general trend, but not always true. You can find early swords with straighter blades and later ones with more curved blades. The curve varied, but straighter examples seemed to appear later.
The blades were usually about 1 and 1/8 inches (2.8 cm) wide. But some were only 1 inch (2.5 cm) wide, and these narrower ones also tended to be newer. Again, this was a trend, not a strict rule. Lighter "piquet" or dress swords had much narrower blades and smaller hilts. The standard length was 32.5 inches (82.5 cm). But officers could order whatever length suited them best. Most surviving swords are between 32.5 and 34.5 inches (82.5 to 87.6 cm). The thickness and weight of blades also varied. Different swords could feel very different to hold. Some were balanced better for cutting, while others were better for thrusting.
The 1892 Infantry Officer's Sword
The 1845 sword was used for a long time. It was successful in many wars around the world. British soldiers often praised it for helping them survive. However, in 1892, people who believed swords should only be used for thrusting won the argument.
So, the cut-and-thrust blade was replaced. A straight blade designed only for thrusting was introduced. It had a thick, grooved, dumbbell shape and a very sharp, narrow point. This new design was meant to be perfect for thrusting. It was generally well-received. For example, it performed well against the Dervishes in the Sudan. It was during the Sudan campaign that a young Winston Churchill put away his (cavalry) sword. He then used his modern Mauser Broomhandle semiautomatic pistol. It's hard to compare the 1892 blade to the 1845 blade using old stories. This is because swords were used much less often after 1892.
In 1895, the brass Gothic hilt was replaced by a steel hilt for line infantry officers. This new hilt had a completely new design for both the guard and the handle. It was combined with the 1892 thrusting blade to create a brand new sword. Along with this, a new Sword Exercise system was introduced in 1895. Colonel Fox of the Army Gymnasia promoted it, and Maestro Masiello of Florence created it.
Steel Gothic-Hilted Swords
In 1827, officers of the rifle regiments (who were seen as a special group) were allowed to carry their own version of the hilt. Later, in 1854, the regiments of the Foot Guards also got this permission. The blade remained the 1822 pattern. It changed to a grooved blade in 1845, just like the line infantry swords.
The hilt was still the Gothic pattern, but it was made of steel. Instead of the royal symbol, it had a crown and a bugle (for light infantry). Or it had the regimental cap badge (for guards). The steel guards were often not as well made as the brass hilts. They also did not have the folding flap.
This hilt pattern is still used today by The Rifles, Royal Gurkha Rifles, and Foot Guards regiments. However, they now use the 1892 thrusting blade instead of the 1845 sabre blade. The Cameronians also used a similar design. Their regimental badge was in place of the bugle.
Variations of the Swords
Sergeants' swords were similar to those for officers. But they usually had plain blades. Some sergeants' swords had a quill-point instead of the spear-point found on officers' swords. Many sergeants' swords were made by Mole of Birmingham and some by Thurkle of London. Some even had a brass grip instead of the usual shark skin grip.
The Royal Welch Fusiliers could carry a special 1822 sword. On their guard, the monarch's symbol was replaced with the feathers of the Prince of Wales. This seems to have been an optional choice for officers in that regiment. Swords without this difference also exist.
The East India Company used a version of the 1822 and 1845 swords. On their guard, a lion holding a crown replaced the monarch's symbol.
Most of the time, staff officers carried a brass-hilted sword. It was like the regular line infantry officers' sword. But it had the crossed baton staff symbol instead of the royal symbol. Generals carried the same sword as their staff. This changed in 1831 when they officially got a Mameluke style sword.
Some infantry officers who usually carried brass-hilted swords chose to have a steel hilt instead. This steel hilt was then gilded to look like brass. This made the guard much stronger. This feature is often found on swords ordered by British officers who had served in India.
Finally, as mentioned, officers had a lot of freedom. They could choose the exact details of the blades. As long as their swords looked mostly like the official design when worn, it was usually fine.
