Pattern 1796 light cavalry sabre

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The Pattern 1796 Light Cavalry Sabre, is a sword that was used primarily by British Light Dragoons and hussars during the Napoleonic Wars.

[edit] Design

During the early part of the Napoleonic Wars the British Army launched an expeditionary force into France. With the invading army was a young major John Gaspard Le Marchant. Marchant noted the lack of professional skill displayed by the horsemen and decided to do something about it. Among many other things, Le Marchant did to improve the cavalry, he designed, in collaboration with the sword cutler Henry Osborn, a new sabre. This was adopted by the British Army as the Pattern 1796 Light Cavalry Sabre.

In design, the blade profile is similar to some examples of the Indian tulwar (which some theorize might have been the basis of the design). It has a pronounced curve, making the kind of slashing attacks used in cavalry actions decidedly easier; despite training, in the melee of attack Cavalrymen often reverted to instinctive hacking, which the 1796 accommodated. It, unlike other sabres of the period, widened near the point. This affected balance, but made slashes far more brutal; its design has been compared to a modern bacon slicer. It is said that this vicious design prompted unofficial complaints from French Officers, but this is unconfirmed. The mounted swordsmanship training of the British emphasised the cut, at the face for maiming or killing, at the arms to disable. This left masses of mutilated or disabled troops; the French, in contrast, favoured the thrust which gave cleaner kills.

The blade of the light cavalry sabre, 32.5 to 33 inches in length with a single broad fuller, was lighter and easier to use than its heavy cavalry counterpart, the pattern 1796 Heavy Cavalry Sabre, which had a less 'scientific' design. The hilt was of a simple 'stirrup' design with a single knucklebow, intended to be free of unnecessary weight.

[edit] Fame

The blade is remembered today as one of the best of its time. Outside of the cavalry it was adopted, in a lighter form, as the officer's sword in the famous 95th Rifles and other light infantry regiments. The Officer's versions were better made than the Troopers' swords, and were often decorated with extravagant gilt and blueing. It was also copied by the Prussians, and carried unofficially in conflicts until swords became obsolete.