Sword Weights - Napoleonic Era Swords
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 5 ม.ค. 2018
- www.antique-swo...
/ scholagladiatoria
How much does a real sword weigh? Here are the Napoleonic era antique sword weights, as shown in this video:
Georgian Colichemarde - 480g
Late-Georgian Smallsword - 395g
Hanger - 700g
1788 Light Cavalry Officer - 830g
1796 Officer - 980g
1796 Trooper (later version) - 900g
1796 Heavy - 910g
1796 Light Cavalry Officer Pipe-Back - 1020g
1796 Wootz-bladed sabre - 1200g
Rifles Officer's sabre - 880g
1803 Infantry Officer's sabre (ivory grip) - 945g
1803 Infantry Officer's sabre - 980g
The guy who says he doesn't have a lot of napoleonic era swords just happens to have 12 easy at hand.
horst5000 well imagine how many total swords he really has then comparing to napoleonic era ones
It's all relative.
But ... it's all a matter of context
Hi Matt here are some weights of swiss sabers.
Unberittene (non mounted) Offiziersäbel 1867 with sword knot: 824 gr
Berittene (mounted) Offiziersäbel 1867 with sword knot: 976 gr
Höhere Unteroffiziersäbel 1883 with sword knot: 792 gr
Offizierdegen 1899 typ II (blade length 810 mm) Kriegsausführung (WWI black coated) with sword knot: 862 gr
Some people belive that Mr. Easton is balding, the reality is that he is shaving himself with the swords to test their sharpness
This is a great idea. I might do this with my collection when I'm back home with my collection.
Please do! My very best wishes for 2018, take care
stop posting swords
This puts the weight of most sabres around that of a modern service pistol, some things about sidearms haven't changed.
More weight video's! Victorian swords!, Indian swords!, Medieval swords! Weigh Scabards! WEIGH EVERYTHING! Weigh your cat! Weigh the Chorizo! Weigh pomels! Everything you weigh on video is a counterbalance to my crippling depression!
mtgAzim I'm All for weighing the cat!!!
Does the cat weigh more than a montante? We need to know!
Perhaps you can begin to add the weight of each sword you sell on your website, so there is a back-archive (from now on) of every sword you have had possession of, even if you choose not to retain it. Over time it would become rather valuable as a resource for these types of measurements.
Damn you. I need to sleep but new scholavideo.
When you go to bed, count sheep. You'll drop off between 800 - 1000. 1200 tops.
I know, right?? I need to write an article (yay for freelancing...). This is so much better (and more truthful) than the old dog-ate-homework excuse.
Damn, I love this video!
Who would have thought that a video of weighting swords could be so much fun?
I blame this on you, Matt.
I was sure 95% of Matt's flour was literally covered with swords
Ouch. That cake must have penetration for it's context.
Weighed mine:
British 1889 Staff Sergeants Saber 950g, not sharpened (Robert Mole & Sons, 1890)
French 1872 NCO (Grenadier) smallsword, 711g, not sharpened (Francois Delacour & Backes, pre 1884, date unknown, original horn grip replaced with wood and tin wire wrap)
French 1845/55 Field Officer's Saber 750g, not sharpened (Chatellerault, August 1870)
Indian / British Raj late 19th to early 20th century Tulwar 850g, sharp (Unknown maker, seen service in WW1 according to previous owner, reforged blade of possibly European origin)
British Wilkinson P1907 SMLE Bayonet 513g (Georgius Rex stamp, post 1911 manufacture, possibly Nov. 1918 issue date stamps, hard to read due to partial imprints and distortion)
513g a bayonet!?
Sword bayonet; the blade alone is 17 inches, total length 21" 3/4, spine thickness at the root is 9/32" so it's really stiff and sturdy.
pretty long blade, the Carcano mod. 91 bayonet had only a 30cm blade, so about 12 inches
@@Kageitenshi my 1889 staff sergeants is 1050grams, made by Wilkinson, and sharpened. It`s a beast for sure. I have 2 french 1845s, both from Chatellerault, one made in 1915, and the other in 1880, the 1880 is sharpened and weighs 925, the 1915 weighs 1030.
@@doratheexploder286 Those are pretty hefty for 1845's. I take it the smaller fuller runs all the way into the guard in either or both of them? On mine it starts a couple inches out and have been wondering what the cutoff year is for that style of fuller.
You need to talk more about the 1796 heavy cavalry sword. It looks awesome
I like the 1796 with the large guard and the straight blade. I'm not sure why that look appeals to me, but it does.
Excellent. More measures would be great. Comparing thickness, width, and cross section (with calipers of course) would be a fascinating video, as well. For me, I am certain; and there must be other curious blade geeks such as myself among your subscribers. If it is a half-hour video or forty-five minutes, so be it. Time well spent in my book. To measure is to understand, scientifically. I could listen to you prattle on about weapons and blades for hours at a stretch. You should consider paid speaking engagements.
Very intresting video! =D Wouldnt mind more videos discussing the weight of diffrent weapons of armors =)
I like to keep a log of weights and measures of all my edged toys, could be OCD, could be the thirst for knowledge, but I know it's not something in the water because I won't drink that filth.
For everyone who uses Imperial measurements here are the conversions. (Note: rounded to the nearest hundredth)
Georgian Colichemarde - 1.06 lbs
Late-Georgian Smallsword - 0.87 lbs
Hanger - 1.54 lbs
1788 Light Cavalry Officer - 1.83 lbs
1796 Officer - 2.16 lbs
1796 Trooper (later version) - 1.98 lbs
1796 Heavy - 2.00 lbs
1796 Light Cavalry Officer Pipe-Back - 2.25 lbs
1796 Wootz-bladed sabre - 2.65 lbs
Rifles Officer's sabre - 1.94 lbs
1803 Infantry Officer's sabre (ivory grip) - 2.08 lbs
1803 Infantry Officer's sabre - 2.16 lbs
What a great contribution! Let me add just one more data point. I own just one sword remaining from a small collection. It's a US pattern 1840 dragoon saber, the trooper's (as opposed to the ornate officer's) model; Ames contract, and dated 1842. This is the one that the troops called "Old Wristbreaker," and it's not sharpened. It checked in at 2 lb 6.5 oz, or 1091.5 gm.
@Matt Easton, could you please do a video, or videos that look at the progression of British infantry officers and cavalry officers and troopers swords over the 19th century from say the Napoleonic Wars up to WWI. Pretty sure a lot of people would find that interesting. Great channel.
Sure :-)
i would indeed find this quite interesting. finding out more behind the person wielding the weapon often makes the weapon, and understanding thereof, more interesting and relatable.
@Matt how many of your swords came with scabbards and have you gotten any scabbards without swords for sale? Total carry weights would also be of interest.
On a side note, I've been looking high and low for a spare scabbard for the 1889 Staff Sergeant's sword of mine, but most that I've found are for the narrower officer swords that wouldn't fit. I don't suppose you would know where to source one?
99IronDuke this would be totally awesome. I feel like Victorian sabers are probably lighter than their Napoleonic counterparts.
I think those, like me, who use lighter practice swords do it for either safety reasons or because they study dueling sabres. Italian gymnasium sabres were light for safety reasons, I believe. Italian, post unification, military sabres could be heavier than the ones you weighted, because some had iron hilts, which is something some masters complained about. There were some light sabres, in later periods, in service in Italy, those were actually sopadroons with a sabreish hilt and their role was primarily esthetic (parade). Just recently, I've been in a tournament with my "dueling sabre" against "gymnasium military sabres" and I can say military swords were made around two pounds for a reason: parries with a "dualing sabre" fail to stop a "military sabre" blow often enough to stay with the two pounds sword.
I never have time to sit down and watch your content, but I have to say, every subject you pick for these videos fascinates me. One of these days I'm going to have to sit down and binge watch all the things.
That heavy 1796 cavalry sword needs a video all to itself. Can't you hear it screaming "Matt put me in context!" ?
Greg K yes i love that sword
Hey Matt, Can you do a video on what an officer of this era's full kit and primary weapon might look like to put it all in context? The swords by themselves are interesting, but it's hard for a non-expert to understand what changes on the battlefield were driving the evolution of sword design.
Looks to me like the 1803 patterns swords have more weight in the hilt whilst the cavalry sabres have more in the blade, that's why the former feel lighter.
This POV. Very nice.
I'd never seen the 1796 heavy cavalry sword before, and I find it to be a thing of beauty. Might need to spend some time/money to get my hands on one.
Aka someone online was wrong and you wanted to swing your sword onto the field.
As you should. You can't not call yourself an authority in the field by now.
Oh! Please do a video on your 1795 heavy cavalry officer undress sword.
Glad to have found this video, after seeing somewhere that Le Marchant found the 1788 to be to unwieldy it’s strange to see it’s actually lighter (at least the officers version) than the 1796 though I’m sure Le Marchant was referring more to the larger blade length. I would absolutely love if you would eventually do a video on the 1788 light cavalry sabre, it doesn’t get enough love
For someone who's main interest is 19th century sabres, you have quite an impressive collection of earlier swords. Also, the editing and cuts in this video was very good.
I would love to see you weigh the Victorian swords too!
17:34 "...and rape is a very different thing"
this subtitles thing never gets old
Matt's done pouring acid on things, now he has started to weigh things (which is somehow equally entertaining)
Matt, great video. I have been looking for something like this for a long time. If you could also include a precise measurement of the POB, it would make a great video perfect! Thanks
Hopefully one day we can get a tour of your entire collection, Matt!
Do more with the 1796 heavy cavalry i love it
Thank you Matt for the review, great one. Didn't know about this 570g meme to be honest, but as you can guess I did the test and had a hard time to find a sabre around that weight but I finally found a light "Petit Montmorency" Louis XVI- French Revolution one and he passed! 590g but quite sharp although it has a decent guard.
Even my Briquets are heavier - 630->850g- or a single Chassepot Bayonet. The hilt is a key factor as you mentioned. Compared your hanger to my 1845+ British cutlass and well let's say the 1845 is beefy - 1100 g - Time for some diet!
Maybe look for luggage scales? You dont have to care for point of balance nor for position.
tank museum t-shirt!
You favor the 1788 saber! LOL!!! We are in complete agreement.
I picked up a 1796 British Heavy Cavalry Spadroon that weighs 435g.Which I posted in Spadrooners. Not as light as my 1800 English triangular blade Smallsword. That's extremely lightweight.
along with the weight and balance of the swords, would also be interesting to see the taper of them as well
this is a very instructive video, I like it a lot
Hey enjoyed the video but please talk more about the 1796 heavy cavalry sword. I love sharp and would be interested in a similarly lengthy in depth video on it. Mind you his second 1796 sword was definitively not an officer's pattern.
1200 grams is still only 2.6 pounds. Not especially heavy. The sabers are mostly around 1.8 to 2¼ pounds.
Yeah, that one feels really heavy because of the balance point.
My 1860 US light cavalry saber is, without sword knot, 850 grams (presuming I've converted correctly - 30 oz. )
Fun stuff! I have two 1796 LC troopers - A Wooley Deakin made 1815-16 and a Hadley made 1796-1808. Have not weighed them - I now will! - but the Hadley is quite heavier and more robust. Always thought it was the result of late in the wars they were making items in of less quality/cutting corners. Both have British proof acceptance marks and both are service sharpened. As someone said please do a similar vid with Brit cavalry swords - trooper and officer -1821-99. That is my collecting sweetspot. Mid-19th century cav troopers actually from all over Europe, actually.
well, at least it's not Anvil of Dawn where Swords litteraly weigh around 8kg a piece... one handed...
Dracul JOSHI ....why?
I never knew you had such great taste in shoes.
My 1796 trooper's light cavalry sabre weighs 900g. It's not Napoleonic, but my 1821 trooper's light cavalry sabre weighs 960g.
Really interesting topic. Wish you could make the same for the 1821-1899 series of British Cavalry Sabers
I will :-)
My Woolley and Deakin 1796 HC sword, troopers pattern, weighs 1062 g. and this is with modified spear point and cut down on the left side of the guard but with langets intact.
I've always wondered what matt eastons floor look like, and how he vaccuums the carpet with so many swords about... mystery solved he doesn't have carpet.
I thought that the floor was just swords and more swords.
Interesting stuff! I really like that Heavy Cavalry Officer's Sword, that thing looks like a lot of fun. Time to make an eBay alert... this is going to get costly.
this week on scholagladiatoria, Matt gets on his knees
Matt, you're missing a Cold Steel 1796 cavalry sword😬
I have never missed one of those things.
Seriously Matt that is a hell of an awesome collection...so much history imbedded in those weapons.
Brian Smith like 200g too heavy...
Does it suck? I wanna get a saber and don't know where to look
Travis Beard I don't own it but a CS shamshir. It's fairly tip heavy, but unlike the 1796 fairly light. It's design is beautiful but the fittings atrocious. Seriously, they can't produce a straight sword or something where the top layer doesn't peal off on arrival. The blade itself is good quality.
Maybe one of those hook scales for weighing luggage would be good? Particularly if the sword has a knuckle bow or something.
i love this Hanger, good video btw
This is really interesting. Thanks!
Ivory and horn are much heavier and denser than wood, that might help explain why the 1803's are unusually heavy
I would love to have that many blades at home!
Great video! And good idea! I often think of wieght and it must have been an issue for them back then! Them being the people who lived when we did not!
Two suggestions to improve this video :
1 : now that you know how to insert videos inside your videos, you could learn to insert characters inside your videos. It would allow you to do a recap at the end with all the wheights and the names of the sabres, written on your video.
2 : I don't know if you still have your old camera, but a second camera (could be a gopro or even a cellphone...) filming the balance and this second video incrusted in the same time (on a corner for instance) would be great, so we would all see the wheight while you are measuring it.
Take care !
For Americans who aren't used to gram weights (remember, 16 oz is a pound):
480 g = 16.9 oz
395 g = 13.9 oz
700 g = 24.7 oz
830 g = 29.3 oz
980 g = 34.6 oz
900 g = 31.7 oz
910 g = 32.1 oz
1020 g = 36 oz
1200 g = 42.3 oz
880 g = 31.0 oz
850 g = 30 oz
980 g = 34.6 oz
So the lightest of the smallswords are less than a pound, the heaviest saber is about 2.64 pounds.
Not very heavy at all, really.
Anthony Ridgway I just remember that 1lb is about 0.45kg bit easier than converting twice.
I have a Napoleonic non-regulation flank officer's sabre with a very short (27.5") and thin blade, and it weighs 660g. I have no idea how anyone could possibly think a 33" dragoon's sabre would weigh 570g
Matt really big fan of the channel would you do some Last Kingdom fight reviews?
I would be interested to know how these weight ranges compare with various weapons from other places and time periods, to get a sort of minimum and maximum viable weight for military melee weapons. So, an arming sword, a rifle with bayonet, a gladius, a pike, and so on.
Oh, and of course katana and lightsaber.
Just bought an 1840 Heavy Cavalry Sabre “wrist breaker “
1063
Please do every era, this was awesome :3
Totally guessed 1200 g on the wootz sword. Proud of myself.
Mine are all in this range. Although one of my lightest is a 1796 LC officer's sabre, it's about 675g. It feels heavier because the point of balance is out quite far of course and it's a long blade. The rest are around between 700 and one 1kg
The funny thing about the point of balance and weight distribution, indeed, is that my French 1872 NCO smallsword that is ~711g, feels heavier than a ~750g French 1845/55 field officer's saber.
Kageitenshi Yeah, it's all in that leverage.
Great video! Lovely set of swords. You do seem to have ended up with the most beastly 1803's around! Certainly gives cause to adjust the weight range for the pattern though, to a ridiculous 700-980 grams. I think perhaps the only one heavier still would be a Royal Navy example in the Greenwich museum, which has the exact blade shape of a 1796 LC, flared tip and all.
As for the 570 gram light cavalry claim. It's just bizarre. The only explanation I can think of is the fact that so many people mistake 1796 LC inspired infantry sabres for cavalry types, and they can be found in that range. But down at that low weight, they're really small, and so obviously not for cavalry use.
The weight of 1796 LC troopers swords seems really consistent. I've seen stats on dozens now, and they are always 900 grams, +/- 5 grams. Officers versions vary wildly though.
Love the 1796 Officer's Heavy too!
Thanks! Yes good thinking on the 570g issue - It could indeed have been an infantry officer version - in my most recent antique sword unboxing video is a scaled-down 1796 type sabre.
That 1796 heavy cavalry sword makes me swoon.
I love that you don't give a fuck about concealing the lav
Avant-Tom lav?
RambleOn07 the microphone clipped to his shirt is lavaliere microphone. Lav for short. Normally people will hide the cord
Avant-Tom thanks, i was lost
Thank you for doing this in grams and not in apples or whatever silly imperial measurement. :)
absolutely exquisite!
A big part of the problem is that some websites list weights either in-scabbard and out seemingly at random without specifying which it is. EmpireCostumes does that with (some) of their replicas, and though I suspect a 2.1kg specified weight includes the scabbard, it puts me off the purchase for the off chance that it's an absurdly overweight light cavalry sabre.
OMG Yes! A 25 minute video! ^_^
this is great! i have a von blucher prussian infantry saber, copied off the 1790's british cavalry sabers and its in the 980 gram range but i have 2 other later sabers say 1850 to 1870 NCO or officers swords and they are around 600 grams im curious why this shift happened to lighter blades! the blades seem as thich just not as wide
I'm going to need to borrow these swords for research.
The only one that I found surprising is the 1788, it definitely looks heavier than 830 grams to me.
Interesting. I use my archery scales to weigh my swords, they have a hook like a luggage scale and a useful working range.
My favourite sword is the heavy cavalry sword 1796 pattern
Another great video!
Random question: Would half-swording thrust-oriented swords be a good idea in certain situations?
Pff Mat don't you know 570 grams, they came with carbonfiber weightsaving inlays, in the blade. and nanotube polymer hilts. whahahahaha
The chefknife blank i made, no bevels ground no holes drilled fulltang, is 340 grams.
And the 6" bowieknife i made is 200grams. so for 2.8 of my 6' bowie you get a full sabre.....
Maybe they only mean the blade, with out the guard/hilt only the blade itself
Oh what? I thought I got off the POV porn?
but the real question... WILL IT FLOAT?
Does it weigh more than a duck?
1796 Light Cavalry Sabre. Better than a Lightsaber, and even a katana. Literally indestructible (even more so than the legendary katana). Only weighs 500 g. Can rend all matter and space time somehow. Best sword ever made, and Lord of all weapons.
ლ(ಠ益ಠლ)
（╯）╯...︵( .o.) 〆(・∀・)
Matt, Have you done a video on displaying sword collections? What hardware do you use on your walls? Is there any harm in displaying swords in a vertical position like some rifle display racks are used?
500 g light sabre - star wars !
I would like to ask, because mine seems heavy, how much does an 1885 cavalry sword weigh? I lack a gram scale capable of going that heavy..
probobly the american mid 19th century inf saber/sword is lighter than the M1840 cavalry saber they were using
very nice vid. ty
Are the Wootz sabers heavier because of the Wootz steel or is that just because they are non regulation? (Does Damascus Wootz steel typically weigh more than iron/carbon steel?)
Maybe 570grams is a reference to a bare blade no hilt? Though That Still seems Light.
Hope you are going to send this video to help that website.
Could you do the same for basket hilted broad and back swords, and could you include blade lengths in the stats?
Guessing its good to know the weight, but usually i just take up a sword and swing it/fight with it and then i know if its a good weight for me.
All the swords pretty much are awesome no matter the weight as long as they are practical and well balanced.
scholagladiatoria,
Did you validate that the scale is accurate? A given quantity of new coins or a liter of water for example?
Could it be that the 570g of the 1796 refers to the blade weight only?