#light infantry

[redarmyscreaming]

Sergeant, 13th Light Infantry

[ripstefano]

Light Infantry of the British Army

The English do not skirmish so well as the Germans or the French; and it is really hard work to make them preserve their proper extended order, cover themselves, and not throw away their fire; and in the performance of this duty, an officer is, I think, far more exposed that in line fighting." (Rory Muir- "Tactics and the Experience of Battle in the Age of Napoleon")

Deployed in a line or a staggered, spread out order, I’m sure a lot of us are familiar with British Skirmishers from the acclaimed Sharpe Novels (I need to read the India ones). Wellington made good use of them in the Peninsular Campaign, the Portugese got their hands on them after their army’s reform. They were fielded by every faction in the war to my understanding.

From "Wellington's Peninsula Regiments (2) The Light Infantry"

[thegodemperorsmycopilot]

ArtStation - Gaunt's Ghosts

Gaunt's Ghosts, Anna LAKISOVA

All the characters I was honored to portrait for 'Sabbat World Crusade' book © Games Workshop

[eltristan]

This is my fav genre of pic in Venezuela rn after María Corina Machado's coup.

[bantarleton]

Eighteenth-century "satirists": Light infantry, but they're all overweight.

Absolutely everyone in the eighteenth century, apparently: This is the funniest thing I've ever seen in my life.

[blue-and-gilt]

British 1803 Pattern Sword for Officers of Grenadiers and Light Infantry

Accepted as a regulation pattern in early 1803 this sword pattern was a tacit recognition that many officers of the so-called ‘Flank companies’ the regiments’ Light Infantry and Grenadier companies were already choosing to equip themselves with sabres, and rather than try to work against the trend the simply made it official.

This sword was assembled by Prosser, one of the premier sword cutlers of the time using a Solingen made blade that had been imported by J J Runkel. Runkel was a prolific importer of swords and his blades feature prominently on British swords of the time.

This sword has a couple of distinct features, the initials W.W.B are inscribed on the top mount of the scabbard and the guard. These could have been for the original owner, and the 10th Regiment of Foot, the North Lincolnshire show a William Walden Borme in their roster:

October 1794 joined as ensign (second Lieutenant).

August 1795 promoted to Lieutenant by purchase.

August 1804 promoted to Captain.

June 1814 promoted to Major.

If this sword belonged to Major William W. Borme, is impossible to know with absolute certainty, but there is a reasonable chance as the combination of initials is fairly unique. 

The other unusual feature is the lack of belt suspension loops, with only a single frog stud on the scabbard throat, it is clear that this sword was intended to be worn from a baldric.

The 1803 pattern related to the hilt and a lot of variation in blade specifications and link many other observed Runkel blades this one is at the beefier end of that spectrum, with a main fuller that runs to the tip. Sadly is has lost all of its’ blue and gilt decoration.

Its’ stats are:

Overall Length: 930 mm

Blade Length: 807 mm

Grip Length: 115 mm

Inside Grip Length: 93 mm

Weight: 780 grams

Point of Balance: 145 mm

Curve: 51 mm

[theokone]

hmmmmm light ref ? ( also may have changed it background 

[dynogone]

The Osborn Flank Officer’s Sabre

Henry Osborn (C.1785-1808) is one of the most famous sword cutlers in Georgian Britain. He created the famous 1796 Patterns of cavalry swords, in collaboration with Major-General John Gaspard Le Marchant to create what he thought was the best sword. He partnered with John Gunby in 1808, becoming Osborn & Gunby (C.1808-1820). These sabres have an average of a 10cm curve. Used by Officer’s of the Light Cavalry and Infantry as a frock/dress/fighting sword. A 10cm curved blade is one of the most curved styles of sabre in British Regiments, being highly irregular, rare and practically unusable in fighting circumstances. These sabres were based off the famous, well-liked and popular 1796 Pattern Light Cavalry Sabre, but sized-down for infantry/dress. Also highly inspired by Shamshirs, following the 1798-1801 Egyptian Campaign, copying the Mameluke-style, being unfullered and highly curved. These have stirrup-hilts or D-guards and shamshir/fullered half-moon blades. The term ‘flank officer’ refers to the Flank Company's of Light Infantry and Grenadiers, but the term ‘flank officer’s sabre’ normally refers to a light-weight, highly curved officer’s sword of the Georgian-Period. Naval, Infantry, Cavalry, Army and Volunteer Officers etc. could all carry this type of sword via regulation. 

The 11th sword’s (L-R) scabbard is not made by Osborn but by J.S. Lowther, possibly originally had the red dot’s. The green dot fitting florals (twin tulip) only occur on steel mounts, while the red dots (3-pronged rose) only occur on brass mounts. The steel mounts could be earlier, but can’t say for now.

Stamps (bottom left) are found on the ricasso, Osborn being on the spine. The G stamp can occur once or twice on the ricasso. The bold G for Osborn/O&G and the thinner G for just Osborn and Gunby. The Osborn stamp only/tens to occur on un-etched versions, as it’s not needed when the name is etched onto the blade.