Pattern 1796 Heavy Cavalry Sword , X.171

Hieb- und Stoßwaffe | Scheide <Waffenkunde> | Schwert

Standard pattern 1796 heavy cavalry trooper’s sword (backsword). The straight steel blade is single-edged with a fuller. The false edge narrows substantially on the final quarter towards a hatchet point. It has a stirrup hilt with a pierced disc guard. There are eight holes in the guard, six oval and two semi-circular. The sides of the guard are slightly flanged, curling back towards the hand and is further reinforced in the centre with a smaller diamond plate, which extends over the back of the guard to form a singular quillon. The two langets are also attached to this plate through two further small holes. The grip is wooden and covered with leather, separated from the hilt by a ferrule. The assembly of the hilt is kept in place by rivets going through a steel ear as well as the pommel. The ear and the pommel are forged from the same piece of steel, which also comprises the backpiece of the grip. There is a small rectangular hole on the guard towards the pommel for the sword knot. The weapon is in excellent condition. Its sword retains the original hatchet point, langets, and hilt construction, which were sometimes altered or removed on swords that saw active service (Robson, p.22). No signs of damage or use can be seen on the blade. The only damage to the hilt is a tiny tear on the leather grip next to the pommel, slightly exposing its wooden core. The iron scabbard is also present in the case, but not hung up with the weapon. There are no inscriptions or marks on the weapon which indicate when and where it was made. The majority of the swords were initially made in Birmingham (Robson, p.18).

Object Details

• Location: Deutsches Klingenmuseum Solingen DKM
• Inventory number: X.171
• Measurements: Gewicht: 1.125 g; Gesamtlänge: 1.010 mm; Klingenlänge: 879 mm; Klingenbreite: 33 mm; Klingenstärke: 9 mm
• Material/Technique: Klinge: Stahl; Griff, Holz, Leder, Stahl; Scheide: Stahl

Contributors, Places and Time

• Event: Herstellung
• (where): Großbritannien
• (when): 1796 - 1821

Further information

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• Last update: 22.04.2025, 9:59 AM CEST