Deepeeka British Pattern 1908 Cavalry Sword

There had long been debate over whether the use of the point or the edge was the better method of attack for a cavalryman. In the Napoleonic period, British cavalry doctrine, as shaped by John Gaspard Le Marchant, favoured the cut, resulting in the dramatically curved Pattern 1796 light cavalry sabre. With the introduction of the 1822 patterns, the British Army adopted a series of “cut and thrust” swords with slightly curved blades which were theoretically stiff enough for a thrust. The 1822 swords and their descendants were inevitably compromises and not ideal for either cutting or thrusting, but the Army considered their adaptability to be of more importance.

The 1908 sword was purely designed for thrusting. The narrow blade had a thick "T" cross-section, making it far stiffer in the “weak” axis so as to resist buckling in the thrust. The blade ended in a sharp "spear" point. The large, sheet steel bowl guard gave considerable protection to the hand. The rounded rectangular section chequered grip was of a semi-pistol configuration, allowing the blade to naturally align with the arm when the arm was extended in position for a charge. The large pommel helped to keep the point of balance of the sword close to the guard.

Made by Indian company Deepeeka, these reproductions, while not suitable for use, are perfect for display. The steel guards and pommels are un-painted, while the scabbards have been painted black. The handle is of rubber and has a checkered pattern.