Page 238 - (DK) Smithsinian - Military History: The Definitive Visual Guide to the Objects of Warfare

236

INFANTRY AND CAVALRY
AND IMPERIALISM 1815–1914
SWORDS AND BAYONETS

▲ INFANTRY HANGER SWORD
By 1815, infantry swords were becoming little more than ceremonial Date c.1760–1820
weapons, although officers and senior NCOs continued to carry them as symbols Origin UK
of rank. The design of these swords was increasingly decorative. In the course of Weight 29 ⁄2oz (840g)
1
Simple two-bar guard
the 19th century, the sword bayonet replaced the infantryman’s socket bayonet Length 31 ⁄4in (79.7cm)
1
and hanger sword. The rise of long-range firearms meant that the bayonet was The hanger sword traditionally carried by
of little use in combat, but infantrymen were still equipped with it because the infantry was a crude military variant
armies believed the weapon fostered an aggressive spirit. In these years, light of a short hunting sword, almost always
cavalry used a curved saber designed for slicing and cutting, while heavy cavalry with a straight or slightly curved blade.
carried a thrusting sword with a long, straight blade.

▶ “FOOT” OFFICER’S SWORD In the American Civil War Knuckle guard
Date c.1820 (1861–65), the artillery had its Guard with forward-
own swords. This Confederate facing quillon
Origin US artillery saber was made by
1
Weight 2 ⁄2lb (1.13kg) Boyle, Gamble & McFee, of
Length 29in (73.6cm) Richmond, Virginia.
Y Guard branches
INDUSTR Pommel cap

One of the twin
langets fixed over
cross-guard
D-shaped single
knuckle guard

▲ MODEL 1827 CAVALRY
TROOPER’S SWORD Tang stud Muzzle ring with locking screw
Date c.1827
Origin Russia
3
Weight 2 ⁄4lb (1.22kg)
1
Length 3 ⁄2ft (1.02m)
Locking-bolt Steel cross-guard with curved Single-edged steel
The Russian Model 1827 cavalry trooper’s spring “blade-breaker” quillon blade with wide fuller
sword had a curved, single-edged blade
with a single, wide fuller and a brass hilt.
Twin langets could be used to trap an
enemy’s sword.

Brass hilt comprising pommel,
grip, and cross-guard ▲ PIONEER SWORD The hilt of this Russian sword
MODEL 1847 is based on the French Model
Straight quillons
▶ SWORD BAYONET 1831 infantry sword. Both
with circular finials Date 1847
Date Mid-19th century reflect the influence of the
Origin Russia Roman gladius short sword.
Origin France Weight 2 ⁄2lb (1.18kg)
1
3
Weight 27 ⁄4oz (790g)
Length 25in (63.5cm)
3
Length 3 ⁄4ft (1.15m)
This French sword bayonet, with a long,
narrow blade, is unusual in having a
basket hilt—a feature usually associated
with a cavalry sword. Hilt with D-ring and two branches