Just LOVE the image inserts to illustrate the various extra sword models you make small references to. So much better than when you had to try to describe them in detail, and detour from the main discussion.
This is a wonderfully informative video! Thank you :) Could you please maybe do a video about the swords and weaponry used during the Napoleonic wars? I'm thinking about Bernard Cornwell's series "Sharpe", starring Sean Bean. I have always wanted to more about that time period, and the weapons, as well as the uniforms used. Thank you so much for all of your great content. Cheers!
Matt, Question? (Or others) - Did the officers/soldiers using these swords use gloves? Did that have an effect on grip? Such as: Leather gloves (cow as opposed to sheepskin or deer?). Or cotton? I'm sure the checkering helped with this, but did it help more? thanks in advance!
I have bern looking for any info on camels as wartime cavalry. I know it was done by at least acouple different cultures through the centuries but i havent been able to find any info. Can anyone point me in the right direction?
It's not just the assymetry in weight that makes it slide. It's probably associated with lower friction, such as having your hands full of blood, mud or water. Also, the surviving examples survive because they are in good condition; other ones could have lost texture on their hilt's leather or shark skin.
You mentioned the way these hilts are slightly wider on one side. This sparked a question: did they also make swords in the British Army for left-handed people, with the hilt extending on the other side? Or was it a bit like how left-handed pupils were taught to write in the old school days, and they would make left-handed soldiers train to use their right hand instead?
Once British Cavalry Blades became straight, they should have back to a Cut and thrust style blade to maximize the lack of curvature. Thanks, Keep tup the great stuff. From Tempe, Az.
I would like to ask you a question: I would really like you to have a TH-cam video about the proper sword design that is ideal for thrusting and slashing cutting? What qualities of blade design does not compromise thrusting capability for slashing capability and vise versa
Could you tell me what I’ve found? I was at a flea market and I found an old wakizashi with a swaztika etched onto the blade just above the hilt, was that something the Japanese did during world war 2?
Depends on the style of the swastika. If it looks like the one of the Nazi flag, then it could be some sort of commemorative sword for their alliance. But their are native Japanese swastika designs, just search it into Google and you'll see what I mean. Strange really, nearly every culture throughout history has had some sort of variation of the symbol.
It's possible it was a sword bought by a Nazi, because many Europeans had said they liked the Wakizashi, but it's more likely to just be decoration from a Japanese Smith. It's not called a Swastika in Japan, I forget the actual name, but you can see it as a normal thing. For example it's used in Kempo, a Japanese martial art.
So this is the infantry officers 1845 blade on a steel hilt instead of the standard brass hilt? The same sword I cut with, the steel hilt would actually be lighter right, so the cavalry had infantry blades?
Random question - took m'laddo to see Macbeth to help with his studies and one line refers to 'wearing harness'. Is that historically accurate? Seems a bit early to be wrapping up like a tin of beans - its only 1050ish. Might a wealthy king have had plate armour then or was Shakespear using artistic licence?
Matt. What are the advantages and disadvantages of curved sword blades compared to straight sword blades and vice versa? Also why were some cavalry sword blades curved and others were straight?
Hey Matt, I was wandering if one was fighting with a sword against an opponent armed with a spear, how viable would it be to try to cut the spear head off? Is it an effective tactic? Was it done on the battlefield?
If I win the lottery here tonight, Matt, once the travel restrictions are lifted I'm visiting old Blighty with a couple of platinum cards and cleaning off a good chunk of your wall!
Thank you for a great presentation. Funny timing. I just saw a sword in a shop that was labeled "english military pattern 1887" and listed for a very very very high price. Cant wait to go tell the extremely rude emploee that theres no such thing. Cheers Matt and thanks again!
If you wanted to practice using an antique sword, so wanted it to be combat functional but not so rare that you were risking damaging something irreplaceable, would you recommend this pattern of sword. If not do you have any suggestions? I've noticed the Cossack sabres are often relatively inexpensive and were obviously respected in the time period but the curve seems quite pronounced.
Very excellent presentation my friend! May I recommend a subject? I urge you to study sword use in the American Civil war! Look at Wade Hampton’s duels at Gettysburg, and look up Nathan Bedford Forrest, he was a brigadier General with the confederacy and had 31 kills alone in hand to hand combat with his cavalry saber, remarkable stories! No British General in history ever got 31 kills, but Forrest did! He led from the front ;) *Battle of Fallen Timbers intensifies*
i actually have one that looks just like it, but tbh I don't know if its real or not, its very similar to the one in the video but mine is completely straight, blunt on the sides and pointy. mine also has the Arabic letter for j on it, @ scholagladiatoria please let me send you a photo so I know what it is cuz I have no clue, it took me ages to just find this video. ps my one also has the carl eickhorn Solingen logo from 1935-36 I think. please reply, thanks
Apologies if you've already covered this in another video, but I'd be quite interested in knowing how a given "pattern" was formally standardized at various times. Was there a single reference blade that was approved as "the" 1845 pattern blade (like there was a single "meter")? Were they described mathematically? By a hand-drawn schematic carefully copied from place to place? How much variation was considered permissible?
Hi Matt, don't know if you'll see this being an older thread now, but question about blades. The later 1880's made versions of this sword appear to have "straighter" (but still slightly curved) blades than the earlier swords with '45 pattern blades, and indeed overall as compared the light cavalry sword. I assume this is an optical illusion on my part, that they don't, and that they are the same, both across the two patterns but also between late and early models. Is this correct? I've mainly tried to gauge it more off the scabbard which looks like a more pronounced curve in earlier models, but again am not sure. Also, I know reproductions are not a good gauge either, but those that are out there of the light cavalry model in the 1845 pattern blade appear WAY too curved compared with the original examples I've seen. Again is this an optical illusion, something that developed over time, or are the repros just very very wrong and far more pronounced than even originals (as I likely suspect)?
I mean, that isn't exactly true, swords and by extension all weapons change to fit the battlefield. What the best type or iteration of blade to use in an unarmored, black powder pre-cartridge era battlefield is a design that would do a lot worse during the height of armored combat, or when shields were heavily in use.
I agree about that 1896 being one of the best designed swords in history. If I ever get a custom saber, it'd be very much like that. I'll have 1887 put into the hilt or etched on the blade lolz
You very occasionally find a left-handed officer's sword and left-handed fencers are mentioned in treatises. But in most cases they were encouraged to fight right handed. Troop swords were only made for right-handers.
Idk why they stopped using the 1821 heavy cavalry troopers sword, it seems like a perfect sword, the 1853 troopers sword is good but idk why it was for heavy cavalry aswell as light cavalry....
1796 light cavalry, I would say, if we are choosing from British military swords - or one of the infantry officers non-regulation swords inspired by it (which were shorter and lighter, but mostly the same in the basic idea).
1895, british war department: "So you guys finally managed to get backstraps right? Glad to hear" slapping their backs... "I'm sorry, but I have to go. Machine gun team says they made some serious progress."
Just LOVE the image inserts to illustrate the various extra sword models you make small references to. So much better than when you had to try to describe them in detail, and detour from the main discussion.
These videos really make you appreciate military bureaucracy. Just how many patterns of British swords are there???
The Wilkinson blade is basically the spear point modified 1796 HC blade with a narrower blade and a longer ricasso.
This is a wonderfully informative video! Thank you :) Could you please maybe do a video about the swords and weaponry used during the Napoleonic wars? I'm thinking about Bernard Cornwell's series "Sharpe", starring Sean Bean. I have always wanted to more about that time period, and the weapons, as well as the uniforms used. Thank you so much for all of your great content. Cheers!
@@tl8211 Thank you very much! I will definitely check those out :)
I'm in agreement there!
I love these Gothic hilts. :] Didn't know they were thicker than the bowl guards but they were always more aesthetically pleasing to me.
Matt, Question? (Or others) - Did the officers/soldiers using these swords use gloves? Did that have an effect on grip? Such as: Leather gloves (cow as opposed to sheepskin or deer?). Or cotton? I'm sure the checkering helped with this, but did it help more? thanks in advance!
That´s a good question for many swords. I think gloves were far more common back then and obviously, it also depends on the season too.
So if there is no 1887 sword, where did that misconception actually come from?
Probably just a lot of people repeating what they heard from one source for a long time.
I know they weren't used a lot in British service, but I'd love to hear any insights you have on camels with cavalry.
Rob Wilson they scare horses.
I have bern looking for any info on camels as wartime cavalry. I know it was done by at least acouple different cultures through the centuries but i havent been able to find any info. Can anyone point me in the right direction?
@@SuperOtter13 T. E. Lawrence used camel cavalry in the Sinai.
matt, could wee see test cutting using many different patterns of 19th century swords, please?
It's not just the assymetry in weight that makes it slide. It's probably associated with lower friction, such as having your hands full of blood, mud or water. Also, the surviving examples survive because they are in good condition; other ones could have lost texture on their hilt's leather or shark skin.
You mentioned the way these hilts are slightly wider on one side. This sparked a question: did they also make swords in the British Army for left-handed people, with the hilt extending on the other side? Or was it a bit like how left-handed pupils were taught to write in the old school days, and they would make left-handed soldiers train to use their right hand instead?
Good question. I would also like to know.
Ok Mr. Easton, a challenge for you. A video on dual wielding heavy cavalry swords!
Once British Cavalry Blades became straight, they should have back to a Cut and thrust style blade to maximize the lack of curvature. Thanks, Keep tup the great stuff. From Tempe, Az.
I would like to ask you a question: I would really like you to have a TH-cam video about the proper sword design that is ideal for thrusting and slashing cutting? What qualities of blade design does not compromise thrusting capability for slashing capability and vise versa
Could you tell me what I’ve found? I was at a flea market and I found an old wakizashi with a swaztika etched onto the blade just above the hilt, was that something the Japanese did during world war 2?
Depends on the style of the swastika. If it looks like the one of the Nazi flag, then it could be some sort of commemorative sword for their alliance. But their are native Japanese swastika designs, just search it into Google and you'll see what I mean. Strange really, nearly every culture throughout history has had some sort of variation of the symbol.
It's possible it was a sword bought by a Nazi, because many Europeans had said they liked the Wakizashi, but it's more likely to just be decoration from a Japanese Smith. It's not called a Swastika in Japan, I forget the actual name, but you can see it as a normal thing. For example it's used in Kempo, a Japanese martial art.
Thanks guys!
@@hazzardalsohazzard2624
I believe the term in Japanese is "manji". Slight difference, it's not drawn at an angle like a swastika though.
Not sure how much it would help, but the r/Swords subreddit is generally good at identifying antique hand weapons.
It's ironic that his name is "Matt." Seems like it should be "Gloss."
PunPolice! Open up!
because his head is glossy?
I´d like to know your thoughts on checkered grip vs. thumb-ring.
So this is the infantry officers 1845 blade on a steel hilt instead of the standard brass hilt? The same sword I cut with, the steel hilt would actually be lighter right, so the cavalry had infantry blades?
Random question - took m'laddo to see Macbeth to help with his studies and one line refers to 'wearing harness'. Is that historically accurate? Seems a bit early to be wrapping up like a tin of beans - its only 1050ish. Might a wealthy king have had plate armour then or was Shakespear using artistic licence?
Cleared up a couple of points of confusion for me; thank you for taking the trouble.
Matt. What are the advantages and disadvantages of curved sword blades compared to straight sword blades and vice versa? Also why were some cavalry sword blades curved and others were straight?
Outstanding education video, thank you. Could you please do a similar one for the victorian rifles officers swords.
*_The dome is pretty shiny today!_*
Hey Matt, I was wandering if one was fighting with a sword against an opponent armed with a spear, how viable would it be to try to cut the spear head off? Is it an effective tactic? Was it done on the battlefield?
I recently made a sword with a round handle and an unbalanced gard and I is constantly turning in the hand
That 1821 etched(?) sword is a beauty.
Still a fan of the 1796 heavy cavalry sword....
1821 pattern is more versatile, has better protection and is more practical. There were good reasons why it replaced the 1796
@@MrPanos2000 1796 looks better imo
Fantastic sword pattern. Just about my favorite - well one of them. Great vid!
If I win the lottery here tonight, Matt, once the travel restrictions are lifted I'm visiting old Blighty with a couple of platinum cards and cleaning off a good chunk of your wall!
I have a sword like straight black has a serial number 44983 can u tell me anything about it
But is the chekered pommel more efficient at ending an opponnent rightly?
No, only when it has special runes engraved in it...
That is one hell of a pretty fan you got there.
Beautiful sword. I agree the blade seems to be pretty cool.
That 1845 blade looks to be almost dead straight. So why can that cut and the 1897 blade can't?
Their guards really look best with their white buff liner highlighting the design through the piercings..
Thank you for a great presentation. Funny timing. I just saw a sword in a shop that was labeled "english military pattern 1887" and listed for a very very very high price. Cant wait to go tell the extremely rude emploee that theres no such thing. Cheers Matt and thanks again!
If you wanted to practice using an antique sword, so wanted it to be combat functional but not so rare that you were risking damaging something irreplaceable, would you recommend this pattern of sword.
If not do you have any suggestions?
I've noticed the Cossack sabres are often relatively inexpensive and were obviously respected in the time period but the curve seems quite pronounced.
Very excellent presentation my friend! May I recommend a subject? I urge you to study sword use in the American Civil war! Look at Wade Hampton’s duels at Gettysburg, and look up Nathan Bedford Forrest, he was a brigadier General with the confederacy and had 31 kills alone in hand to hand combat with his cavalry saber, remarkable stories! No British General in history ever got 31 kills, but Forrest did! He led from the front ;) *Battle of Fallen Timbers intensifies*
i actually have one that looks just like it, but tbh I don't know if its real or not, its very similar to the one in the video but mine is completely straight, blunt on the sides and pointy. mine also has the Arabic letter for j on it, @
scholagladiatoria please let me send you a photo so I know what it is cuz I have no clue, it took me ages to just find this video. ps my one also has the carl eickhorn Solingen logo from 1935-36 I think. please reply, thanks
Apologies if you've already covered this in another video, but I'd be quite interested in knowing how a given "pattern" was formally standardized at various times. Was there a single reference blade that was approved as "the" 1845 pattern blade (like there was a single "meter")? Were they described mathematically? By a hand-drawn schematic carefully copied from place to place? How much variation was considered permissible?
Hi Matt, don't know if you'll see this being an older thread now, but question about blades.
The later 1880's made versions of this sword appear to have "straighter" (but still slightly curved) blades than the earlier swords with '45 pattern blades, and indeed overall as compared the light cavalry sword. I assume this is an optical illusion on my part, that they don't, and that they are the same, both across the two patterns but also between late and early models. Is this correct? I've mainly tried to gauge it more off the scabbard which looks like a more pronounced curve in earlier models, but again am not sure.
Also, I know reproductions are not a good gauge either, but those that are out there of the light cavalry model in the 1845 pattern blade appear WAY too curved compared with the original examples I've seen. Again is this an optical illusion, something that developed over time, or are the repros just very very wrong and far more pronounced than even originals (as I likely suspect)?
Great video - as always, very informative and interesting. Thanks!!
What was the last time where soldiers were deployed with swords
@Colin Cleveland first or 2nd
It’s kind of a shame folks got sword design perfect right about the time that swords became obsolete.
I mean, that isn't exactly true, swords and by extension all weapons change to fit the battlefield. What the best type or iteration of blade to use in an unarmored, black powder pre-cartridge era battlefield is a design that would do a lot worse during the height of armored combat, or when shields were heavily in use.
Matt How long is the 1821/1896 blade ?
Matt Easton of Easton's antique arms, not Matt Easton, Scholagladiatoria.
I agree about that 1896 being one of the best designed swords in history. If I ever get a custom saber, it'd be very much like that. I'll have 1887 put into the hilt or etched on the blade lolz
Was there ever, in the 19th century British military, any consideration given to natural hand dominance, or did everyone train to fence right handed?
You very occasionally find a left-handed officer's sword and left-handed fencers are mentioned in treatises. But in most cases they were encouraged to fight right handed. Troop swords were only made for right-handers.
Nicely done.
What is a 1892 heavy Calvary sword household Calvary
I don't see why you would only want a thrust sword and not a cut and thrust sword? It seems like your taking away an advantage?
Idk why they stopped using the 1821 heavy cavalry troopers sword, it seems like a perfect sword, the 1853 troopers sword is good but idk why it was for heavy cavalry aswell as light cavalry....
Agreed. The 1821 heavy is actually a better sword in my opinion.
But why not use a spadroon?
So, remind me, where does the 1887 pattern fit? 😉😇😃
Thanks Gobby
How many left handed swords were made?
None for troopers. Officers very rarely.
@@scholagladiatoria thanks for the reply. And as strange as it sounds would kite shields be right or lefted as well?
Does this make it the ultimate sword for the zombie apocalypse?
If not, which sword is?
1796 light cavalry, I would say, if we are choosing from British military swords - or one of the infantry officers non-regulation swords inspired by it (which were shorter and lighter, but mostly the same in the basic idea).
cutlass, or lead cutter.
Wasn't Sharpe's sword the 1896 pattern?
Napoleonic wars happened long before 1896.
Sharpe's sword is 1796 heavy cavalry sword.
How much do these weigh?
They vary, but around 900-1100g usually.
I have HP_20 1896 sawrd
1895, british war department:
"So you guys finally managed to get backstraps right? Glad to hear" slapping their backs... "I'm sorry, but I have to go. Machine gun team says they made some serious progress."
I'd like to buy an original one of these.
Ah yes, the 1912 Count Dooku Pattern blade.
I do wish these beautiful weapons were affordable to peons like me. I probably know the answer but does anyone know of a decent reproduction?
@Colin Cleveland Thanks, I'll keep an eye for them.
Matt do you know brittish pattern 1822 sergeants sword with solid brass grip? I mean do you know more than Brian Robson do in his books.
Yes I do know that pattern. We don't know who they were produced for exactly, as the normal sergeants' swords have shagreen grips.
just seen this th-cam.com/video/qDt4C-AVzWY/w-d-xo.html
Matt is this an actual thing from history? maybe a topic for your channel?
Awesome vid!
The two down votes are from the light cavalry lol!
Varg's overtaken you on subscribers, Matt!
Varg's channel's been shut down now, so Matt has more subscribers again.
GOOD GOD MAN! DON'T FIXATE ON THE POMMEL!
... sometimes i wish, matt would cease to say "BUT" that often
DO NOT THINK ABOUT
THE 1887 PATTERN!
REMAIN INDOORS!
A hello hello I'm back
Second