Army Sword: A Must-Have Addition to Your Officer's Collection

 When talking about officer swords, it's quite common for officers and other military personnel to be the ones collecting them. However, it really isn't strange for any other enthusiasts to start collecting them. Most of these blades have their own history, so learning about them and what are they is awesome, especially when a guest of yours asks you something about them.

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The greatest thing of all about them is that these collectibles are considered extremely valuable and have a special place and value for most collectors. Speaking from another point of view, they can also cost a fortune in case you decide to sell them one day. Whether interested in swords for yourself or you want to make a gift to someone close, first, you should learn more about the types in which you can invest.

Types of Swords

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Cavalry Officers Sword

Well, the name of these sabres comes from the name of the mounted soldiers – cavalry who used them from around 1600s to 1900s. The thing that makes this astonishing cavalry officers sword range so popular is their appearance and practicality. These sabres are characterised by their curved and single-edge blades of around 91cm length. The main use of these sabres was for slashing and thrusting while on horseback and these were the most important tools during some well-known wars and fights like the Napoleonic and American Civil Wars. In other words, these sabres are a symbol of strength and skills. Thanks to the curved design, cavalrymen were able to make strong, fast and effective slashing attacks, helping them to stay in control even when on their horses. They are extremely handy and easy to held which was another reason for their use. Usually, the sword is secured in a scabbard to offer greater protection from swinging freely while the military personnel is moving.

These days, these sabres are worn by the Royal Australian Armoured Corps and the Australian Army Aviation. Traditionally, the sword should be worn on the left side of the body with the hand guard facing inwards. However, nowadays, these swords are only symbolic and aren't used as combat weapons. Generally speaking, they are made from traditional carbon steel and they are mainly replicas of the designs used by the Dragoon, Light Dragoon, Lancer Regiments and the Hussar. Aside from this, you can also invest in the ones made from stainless steel featuring an ornate pattern and regimental crest. The truth is that the choice of these unique and authentic-looking sabres is large, so you should carefully go over all types offered on the market in order to make the right choice.

The General Officer's Saber

Mentioning this sword takes people back to the time of British Army Generals, but there's one person this sword is associated with the most and that is the Duke of Wellington. In 1831, when the British military prescribed a new sword for its generals, the design of the sword mimicked that of Duke's Mameluke inspired by his years spent in India. The curved blade of the sabre is about 30cm long and is double-edged. The ornamental mounts of the Mameluke hilt are mainly made of gold plated brass, while the scabbard is nickel-plated steel with two loose rings.

Artillery Officer's Saber

The design and pattern of this sabre can take you back to the 1822s when it was first used by the Light Cavalry. This sabre is characterised by its distinctive and slightly curved spear-pointed blade. The hilt of this saber represents a half-basket with three fluted bars while the black fish-bound grip has silver-plated copper wire.

Infantry Officer's Saber

This sabre was used by the British Regiments, and it is known as a traditional-twin-edged sword. It consists of a straight carbon steel blade that is acid-etched with a regimental crest. It features an etched nickel-plated steel basket hilt with sovereign's royal cipher, and a grip that is finished with a silver-plated copper wire.

How to Care for a Sword?

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Given the fact that these sabers are mainly bought by collectors, this means that they are meant for showcasing only. However, this doesn't mean that they don't need to be cleaned. From time to time, you can wipe them with a clean and dry cloth in order to remove any fingerprints, residue and perspiration. If not maintained for a prolonged period of time, blades made of stainless steel in particular will rust.

Aside from cleaning them with a dry cloth solely, you should also wipe them down with an oiled cloth to protect the sabre and its material. When storing the sword for a prolonged period of time, it is best to be stored it unsheathed. When moving the sabre from one place to another, it's recommended to secure it properly and wrap it in a plastic bag in order to minimise condensation.