BRITISH 1912 CAVALRY SWORD WITH SCABBARD

The 1912 pattern cavalry sword was the very last sword that was issued to the cavalry officers of the British Army at a time when cavalry charges were no longer widespread and swords were falling out of use as military weapons. It was considered to be the best cavalry sword ever designed and still saw service during World War I.

The 1912 pattern was clearly based on the 1908 pattern but had more elaborate decorative features. When introduced, it was issued to all officers to replace their privately acquired non-regulation swords. The hilt was more sophisticated in comparison to that of the standard sword: While the standard 1908 troopers' version had a rubber or bakelite grip, the officer's version replaced these materials with sharkskin inlaid with nickel silver wire. What's more, the bowl-shaped guard was adorned with an etched floral (honeysuckle) motif much in the style of 19th century officer's swords.

The 1912 design is still in use nowadays, having been adopted by British, Australian and Canadian cavalry units as their ceremonial sword.

The beautiful, good value reconstruction we offer here has a straight, single-edged EN45 spring steel blade which is fullered about two thirds down it length. The unsharpened edge is about 1 mm thick. The hilt features a knuckle-bow and a generously sized, bowl-shaped guard plate that closely recreates the motifs of the historical examples. The grip's core is made of wood and wrapped in black leather and twisted steel wire.

The cavalry sword is delivered with an all-steel scabbard with two carrying bands, articulated suspension rings and a broad, rounded end piece or shoe.

Please note that this sword is not a battle ready weapon. It is designed as a collector's or decoration/display piece and is not suited for combat reenactment. Besides its quality as a collectible, it is also perfectly suited as a prop, e.g. to complete your costume.