1908 Pattern British Cavalry Trooper's Sword

*1908 Pattern British Cavalry Trooper's Sword & Scabbard*

A 1908 Pattern British Cavalry Trooper's Sword, with 880mm single-edged rappier flat-back steel blade with single narrow fuller and spear tip, inspection, proof and WD marks to ricasso, solid bowl guard with steel bowl pommel and moulded and knurled gryphonite grip with concave thumb rest, black-painted steel scabbard with fixed suspension rings.

The Pattern 1908 cavalry trooper's sword (and the 1912 Pattern, the equivalent for officers) was the last service sword issued to the cavalry of the British Army. It has been called the most effective cavalry sword ever designed, although its introduction occurred as swords finally became obsolete as military weapons. In use, it, like other thrust-based cavalry swords, is best described as a one-handed lance, due to its complete lack of utility for anything but the charge. The 1908 pattern was designed from the outset purely to give point (thrust) from horseback. The length of the blade was said to be able to match the reach of the lance or the bayonet with the sword arm fully extended.

The 1908 sword was purely optimized for thrusting. The skewer-like blade has a thick "T" cross-section, much narrower but thicker than a traditional blade design making it far stiffer in the "weak" axis for a given weight 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. Although not as extreme as modern fencing pistol or orthopedic grips, this design caused the blade to naturally align with the arm when the arm was extended, in position for a charge using the point. A thumb stop was indented on top of the grip, just behind the guard. The large pommel helped to keep the point of balance of the sword close to the guard, balancing the sword for its length.

King Edward VII described the sword as "hideous" when the pattern was submitted to him for formal approval, and had to be persuaded of its utility before eventually conceding the point.

*Condition*
This rare 1908 Pattern sword is in excellent condition given its age. The scabbard is in good condition with some wear and tear. The sword sheathes and draws very well. Please see photographs as part of the condition report.

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