Pattern 1897 infantry officer's sword facts for kids
Quick facts for kids 1897 Pattern Sword |
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1897 Pattern Sword
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| Place of origin | United Kingdom |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1897 to present |
| Used by | British Commonwealth |
| Production history | |
| Designed | 1897 |
| Manufacturer | Various; currently made by Weyersberg, Kirschbaum & Co., Germany |
| Produced | 1897 to present day |
| Variants | Light (picquet) weight, ceremonial version |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 790–820 g (1 lb 12 oz) |
| Length | 83 centimetres (2 feet 9 inches) |
| Width | 25 mm (0.98 in) |
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| Blade type | Steel, pointed, partially two-edged. |
| Hilt type | Basket hilt |
The 1897 pattern infantry officers’ sword is a special type of sword. It has a straight blade and a guard that covers most of the hand. This sword has been the official sword for officers in the British Army's infantry since 1897. It is still used today for parades and ceremonies.
A Look Back: The Sword's Story
Before 1897, British infantry officers used swords with curved blades. These older swords, like the 1822 and 1845 patterns, looked nice. However, some people thought they were not the best for fighting. They were designed for both cutting and thrusting.
In 1892, a new, straight blade was introduced. This blade was much stiffer and was made mainly for thrusting, or stabbing. This was a big change from the older curved blades. Colonel G. M. Fox helped design this new blade. He also helped create the famous 1908 pattern cavalry sword.
A new type of handguard was added in 1895. This guard was made of steel and covered more of the hand. But it had a problem: its edges would sometimes snag on uniforms. So, in 1897, they made a small change. The new design had the inner edge of the guard turned down, and the holes in the guard were made smaller. This became the final 1897 pattern.
By the time this sword was introduced, guns were very powerful. Rifles could shoot quickly, and machine guns and long-range artillery were common. This meant swords were not as useful on the battlefield as they once were.
However, the 1897 sword was still a very good weapon for close-up fighting. Reports from the Sudan, where it was used between 1896 and 1899, said it worked well. Officers carried these swords into battle at the start of First World War in 1914. Some were even used in March 1915 at the Battle of Neuve Chapelle.
In June 1915, the Army decided that infantry officers should no longer carry swords in Europe. This was to stop officers from standing out to the enemy. But even then, at least one sword was carried during the first day of the Battle of the Somme in June 1916.
A famous example is Bernard Montgomery. He advanced with his 1897 pattern sword drawn in October 1914. He later said he had never been trained to use it! His actual sword is now on display at the Imperial War Museum in London.
The design of the 1897 pattern sword has not changed since it was first made. Today, different companies still make them. Until 2004, these swords were even used in military court hearings. If an officer was on trial, they would place their sword on the table as a symbol.
How the Sword is Designed
The official design says the blade should be about 32+1⁄2 inches (830 mm) long. It should also be about 1 inch (25 mm) wide where it meets the handle. The whole sword usually weighs between 1 pound 12 ounces (0.79 kg) and 1 pound 13 ounces (0.82 kg).
The blade is straight and looks the same on both sides. But if you cut it in half, you would see it's shaped like a wedge. The sharp edge is towards the front. The blade is thick and has a deep groove along each side. This makes it strong but also lighter.
The blade gets thinner towards the tip. The last 17 inches (430 mm) of the front edge was sharpened for active service. A small part of the back edge near the tip was also sharpened to help it go through things. The blade ends in a very sharp, stiff point.
Most of these blades have fancy designs etched into both sides. These designs make the sword look more decorative.
The handguard is a "three-quarter basket" shape. It is made from a sheet of steel. It has a fancy pattern of swirls and holes. Usually, it also has the royal cypher (a special symbol of the king or queen) on it.
The grip, where you hold the sword, is about 5 and 5+3⁄4 inches (130 and 150 mm) long. This length can be different to fit the owner's hand. It is usually covered in ray or sharkskin and wrapped with German-silver wire. The grip is straight and lines up perfectly with the blade.
Many features of this sword show it was made for thrusting. The stiff, narrow point helps it pierce things. The blade is strong and resists bending, which is good for parrying (blocking). The sword is balanced closer to the handle. This makes it easier to move quickly, but it means cuts might not be as powerful. The guard protects the hand well without stopping wrist movement. Even though it's mainly for thrusting, the long sharpened front edge means it could still be used for some cutting.
Special Versions of the Sword
Like older sword designs, the 1897 pattern also had a "picquet" version. This was a lighter sword with a narrower blade and a smaller guard. It was used for formal events and parades, not for fighting.
Some army regiments had their own small changes to the standard sword. These usually involved different royal cyphers on the guard.
There is also a version of the sword with a plain, unetched blade. This one is available for warrant officers, who are senior non-commissioned officers.
The design of the 1897 sword also influenced other ceremonial swords. For example, the Hong Kong Police Force uses a ceremonial sword based on this pattern. The Canadian Army also has an 1897 Canadian Infantry Sword that was influenced by it.
