OVERVIEW
This is also known as Sharpe’s Sword, and made famous by a mid 90s British tv series. Used by British Lifeguards, Royal Horse Guards, Dragoon Guards and Dragoons through the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. It was directly copied from the Austrian Pallasch 1769 heavy cavalry sword. British cavalry officer John Le Marchant attentively made drawings of the weapons carried by the Austrian cavalry during the Low Countries Campaign in 1793-95, and likely was involved in the recommendation of this pattern to his superiors. Notable for its use at Salamanca and Waterloo.
Technically the 1796 heavy cavalry sword is a backsword, defined as a sword with a straight blade with one cutting edge and a spine (the "back") thickened for most of its length to give added strength. In fact, this a not a delicately maneuverable sword by any stretch of the imagination, and gained favor as a bludgeoning weapon. Troops also used the guard as a knuckle duster. The blade is forged with a single broad fuller on each side. The grip is of ribbed leather. The basket guard has ears which are riveted through the tang of the blade to give the hilt and blade a very secure connection. The hilt combines a disc guard pierced with 2 semicircular and 6 oval holes, with a single knucklebow and two slim 2" long langets (projections from the guard, which grip the throat of the scabbard) extending from the front of the guard. Arrives sharpened and includes steel scabbard.
Sword can be personalized with 1 line with up to 25 characters per line
SPECIFICATIONS
Overall length | 39-1/2" |
Blade length | 35" |
Blade is Distally Tapered | 9/32” thick at hilt, 1/16” thick 1” from tip |
Weight | 2 lbs, 6 oz |
Blade steel | 1065 high carbon steel |