Pattern 1908 cavalry sword facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pattern 1908 cavalry sword |
|
|---|---|
Pattern 1908 cavalry sword
|
|
| Place of origin | United Kingdom |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1908–1918 |
| Used by | British Army Australian Army Canadian Army |
| Wars | First World War |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Robert Mole & Sons |
| Designed | 1903–1908 |
| Manufacturer | Robert Mole & Sons and Wilkinson Sword |
| Produced | 1908–present |
| Variants | Pattern 1912 cavalry officer’s sword |
| Specifications | |
| Length | 42 in (1,100 mm) |
| Blade length | 34+3⁄4 in (880 mm) |
| References | Imperial War Museum & Royal Armouries |
The Pattern 1908 cavalry trooper's sword was the very last sword given to cavalry soldiers in the British Army. It was designed to be super effective, especially for thrusting (stabbing). Even though it was a great design, swords were becoming less important in wars by the time it was introduced.
This sword was mostly used for charging into battle. It was like a one-handed lance (a long spear). The similar US Model 1913 Cavalry Saber was even designed to be carried only on a horse. This shows it wasn't very useful if a soldier had to fight on foot. Today, this sword is still used for ceremonies by cavalry units in Britain, Canada, and Australia.
Contents
Designing the 1908 Cavalry Sword
For a long time, soldiers argued about whether it was better to cut or thrust with a sword. In the past, British cavalry often preferred cutting. This led to swords like the Pattern 1796 light cavalry sabre, which had a very curved blade.
Later, the British Army tried "cut and thrust" swords. These had slightly curved blades that could both cut and thrust. But these swords were always a bit of a compromise. They weren't perfect for either cutting or thrusting.
A Sword Made for Thrusting
The 1908 sword changed all that. It was made only for thrusting. Its blade was like a skewer, very narrow but thick. This made it super stiff, so it wouldn't bend when thrusting. The blade ended in a sharp, spear-like point.
The sword also had a large, strong steel guard. This protected the soldier's hand very well. The grip was shaped like a pistol handle. This design helped the blade line up perfectly with the soldier's arm when thrusting. There was also a thumb rest on the grip. A large pommel (the part at the end of the handle) helped balance the sword.
The original plan said the sword should also be able to cut. The last 18 inches of the blade were supposed to be sharpened. But the sword's straight blade and special grip made it hard to cut effectively. It was truly built for thrusting.
The blade was about 35 inches long. This length was chosen to match the reach of a lance or a bayonet when the soldier's arm was fully stretched out. King Edward VII didn't like how the sword looked at first. He called it "hideous." But he was convinced of how useful it was and approved it.
The 1912 Officer's Sword
Soldiers and NCOs (like sergeants) were given their swords by the Army. But officers had to buy their own. Before 1912, officers often used older swords with fancy guards.
How the Officer's Sword Was Different
In 1912, a new sword was made for officers. It looked a lot like the 1908 trooper's sword but was more decorative. The trooper's blade was plain, but the officer's blade was often engraved with designs.
The grip was similar, but instead of rubber, it was covered in grey sharkskin. This was wrapped with German-silver wire. The pommel, which was plain on the trooper's sword, was decorated and had a checkered pattern.
The front of the officer's guard had a floral design. This was similar to older officer's swords. Officers also had two types of scabbards (sheaths) for their swords. One was shiny nickel-plated steel for dress occasions. The other was a leather-covered wooden one for use in the field.
Different Versions of the Sword
There were some variations of the 1908 sword. For example, the Army of India had a version with a smaller grip. This was because soldiers in India generally had smaller hands.
Since officers bought their own swords, some had unique versions. Sometimes, a whole regiment (a large group of soldiers) would have its own special design. For example, officers of the 10th Royal Hussars had a strange version. It mixed parts of the 1912 sword with an older type of guard.
Why Some People Criticized the Sword
Even though the 1908 and 1912 swords were great for thrusting, people still debated if cutting or thrusting was better. Some believed that the sword used during a charge didn't matter much. They thought the main impact came from the horse and rider charging together.
They felt that a cutting sword was better for fighting after the main charge. The British cavalry's last pure cutting sword, the Pattern 1796 light cavalry sabre, was very curved.
One big problem with thrusting was that the sword could get stuck. If a soldier thrust the sword deeply into an enemy, it could be very hard to pull out. This could leave the soldier without a weapon. Or, worse, it could pull them off their horse or break their wrist.
The Patton Saber
The U.S. Army's Model 1913 Cavalry Saber was another famous thrusting sword. It had a large, basket-shaped guard and a straight, double-edged blade. This sword was designed by Lieutenant (who later became General) George S. Patton. It might have been inspired by the British 1908 and 1912 swords.
See also
- 1796 Heavy Cavalry Sword
- 1897 Pattern British Infantry Officer's Sword
- Gothic Hilted British Infantry Swords (1822, 1827, 1845, 1854 and 1892 Patterns)
- Pattern 1796 light cavalry sabre
- John Le Marchant (British Army cavalry officer)
Images for kids
-
British Pattern 1912 cavalry officer's sword with dress and field service scabbards
-
British Pattern 1912 officer's sword hilt
