Need advice on an old sword

[sumanngon]

I have a very old(close to 200 years) cavalry sword of Indian origin. Can anyone who studied swords tell me if those cavalry swords had a sharp edge? My sword is kind of blunt. So wondering if those old swords use to cut metal chain jacket with sheer force and weight as because a very sharp edge against metal will wrap over. Any inputs on this query will be greatly appreciated.

[sumanngon]

Forgot to post the picture

[kshitij]

Unsure how similar yours is to this one but both are more or less from the same time. It made for a good read.
http://www.antique-swords.eu/C42-1800-B ... icers.html

[sumanngon]

Absolutely same...except well maintained. My handle has horn too but chipped of at base. The steel is Indian wootz steel, scabbard however is iron made. Extreme high edge retention but haven tried sharpening it to check edge wrapping, as of now cuts by weight...so wondering if they had sharp edge in the first place...

[tranter]

You have a 1796 light cavalry sword it is a British type, it would have real history unlike the shiny ones in the museum ! DO NOT SHARPEN !! OR USE ANY ABRASIVES ON YOUR SWORD !!!!!!!! you will ruin the patina [the colour ] it has taken over 200 years to look like that, in the UK a sword like that, in that condition would cost around £500 -£700 or even more, especially if it has any markings, if sharpened it would reduce its value by half if not more, and any abrasives could remove any of the valuable markings
Check one of my previous posts as to cleaning steel items, and you wont go wrong.
These swords were very heavy and sharp and would slice limbs off, but the steel scabbards would blunt the blades when drawing them, unlike Indian swords with wooden scabbards which would always be sharp.
You are very lucky to have that sword, look after it.
I would love it !!

[tranter]

Look in the "gun care and gunsmithing" section, at restoring old sword and my reply is near the end hope it helps

[kalashnikovcult]

http://england.prm.ox.ac.uk/englishness ... sabre.html

[ckkalyan]

Very interesting post! Beautiful old cavalry sword sumanngon!

Posting a few in-line images to keep the interest going from kshitij's post and link.

http://www.antique-swords.eu/C42-1800-B ... icers.html

[harshit89]

Very interesting post! Beautiful old cavalry sword sumanngon!

Posting a few in-line images to keep the interest going from kshitij's post and link.

http://www.antique-swords.eu/C42-1800-B ... icers.html

[ Image ]

[ Image ]

[ Image ]

Really amazing cavalry swords which I have seen after many years.

[Hammerhead]

I would not resharpen, touch ups, test, screw up or do anything to to that sword. And would not ever sell it !!!

[harshit89]

The 1796 Pattern British Heavy Cavalry Swords were one among the swords used by the British heavy Cavalry. These are generally given to Lifeguards, Royal Horse Guards, Dragoon Guard and Dragoons, King's German Legion Dragoons, through most of the period of the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. It played an especially notable role, in the hands of British cavalrymen, at the battles of Salamanca and Waterloo. The pattern was adopted by Sweden and was used by some Portuguese cavalry.

[tranter]

Hammerhead knows, do not ruin a good thing !!!!!! you won't ever get a second chance !!!!!