#light dragoons

[military1st]

Grin, Gear, and Grit – Always Ready!

When you're with your squad, even the toughest missions come with moments like these.

A British Soldier assigned to the Legion Troop, C Squadron, also known as the Light Dragoons, during a reconnaissance exercise in support of NATO's enhanced Forward Presence Battle Group-Poland in Bemowo Piskie, Poland.

The U.S. Army 🇺🇸 photo by Staff Sgt. Timothy Hamlin (2020).

[blue-and-gilt]

Just when I promised myself never to import another sword with ivory, what do I go and do?

I buy another mameluke sabre….

This is a late Georgian era Full Dress mameluke sabre marked to the 12th Lancers. While there had been a well-established tradition of carrying mameluke sabres amongst officers of the British army that goes back to the Egyptian campaigns of 1798 – 1801. It wasn’t until 25th April 1822 that they were officially sanctioned in the Dress Regulations for the 9th, 12th and 16th Lancers.

The regulations were all prescribed a 'mameluke-hilted' sword with a plain metal scabbard for dress wear and a velvet-covered scabbard for full dress. I imagine that the difference between Dress and Full Dress would have been determined by who attended the occasion or function.

In 1826 the regulations ordered in Full Dress a ‘mameluke-hilted’ for officers of the Hussars and in 1831 a mameluke inspired pattern was introduced for General and Staff officers. Regardless, officers of may other Light Cavalry and some Heavy Cavalry units continued to carry mameluke sabres into the early 20th Century.

This sabre can be attributed to the 12th (The Prince of Wales) Royal Lancers by the blade decoration which features the regimental title, crowned crossed lances and laurel wreaths. Going by the style of decoration it dates to between 1822 and 1830, with it likely to be at the earlier end of that range. I purchased the sword from Richard Dellar, and it features in his book, The British Cavalry Sword 1788 – 1912; The Companion Volume Plates 12.27 – 12.28 alongside a similar sword from the 9th Lancers.

Overall Length: 878 mm

Blade Length: 737 mm

Curve: 45 mm

Grip Length: 118 mm

Inside Grip Length: 93 mm

Weight: 700 grams

Point of Balance: 105 mm

[awallofswords]

Going to have to build another display board… (or two)

[illustratus]

2nd Light Dragoons, King's German Legion at Waterloo, 1815

by Philipp Hauser

[bantarleton]

The 17th Light Dragoons.

[cuirassier]

Private and officer of the 3rd King’s Own Light Dragoons, 1820 & 1828 respectively, Great Britain, plates by R. Simkin

[pattern-53-enfield]

“King’s Light Dragoon with Paget Carbine”, 1812, by C. Hamilton Smith.

[blue-and-gilt]

Somehow I have ended up with another 1796 Pattern light cavalry sabre. This one a troopers sword that was possibly used by the Yeomanry due to it not having an ordnance board proof stamp.

Made by Thomas Gill sometime between 1796 and 1801 it is inscribed with his famous guarantee of quality: “Tho. Gill’s Warranted never to Fail” on the blade.

Thomas Gill (the second) was one of the best sword makers of his time and introduced the “Warranted” quality mark that was later picked up by many other sword makers of his period. With his passing, the business of sword making was picked up by one of his sons, John Gill and later Elizabeth Gill when John passed away.  This is my third 1796 Pattern sabre by the Gill family, a topic I will write about at a later date. 

Overall Length: 955 mm

Blade Length: 828 mm

Grip Length: 116 mm

Inside Grip Length: 100 mm

Sword Weight: 800 grams

Total Weight: 1,820 grams

Point of Balance: 165 mm

Curve: 60 mm