Antique swords: The British 1821 light cavalry sword is a good sword

"Hey folks! Matt Easton here, Schola Gladiatoria. This is 1821 patterb light cavalery sword. It is a good sword! Cheers guys!" :D

Dammit Matt, you're converting me into a (European) saber fan! I must admit, I was never particularly interested in this general type of sword before I started watching your videos. Heck, I even dreamed of using the British 1857 Royal Engineers pattern, in an actual dream I've had while sleeping, and I almost never dream about using swords (with the notable exception of lightsabers).

Sometimes when you compromise, you end up with a spadroon. Then nobody's happy.

You hit the nail on the head Matt, "New isn't always better."

People who complain about "compromise designs" don't know the first thing about engineering..

Your videos are like a drug. So addicting to watch, and extremely informative and well done. You truly have my gratitude for making them.

So pleased I found your Chanel , I used to have a small sword collection unfortunately before the advent of KZhead, would have found this channel so useful

Love your videos, keep up the amazing work you´re doing, you´re making me want to get into military sabre. cheers.

Glad to hear you say this, partially because the one you featured in an earlier video is to my eyes the single prettiest sword of any type I've seen. I know that's not a good basis for choosing one, but I'm glad it's not just about the looks!

Hi Matt - just stumbled across your channel recently and love it. It’s a fantastic resource for those of us with an interest in history, swords, HEMA etc. You do a great job of being informative (and backed up by real historical sources), articulate and entertaining with minimal editing - thanks for all your hard work. My question is - while understanding that there is no ‘perfect’ or ‘ideal’ sword, and that the cut vs. thrust debate is more a situational spectrum in which compromise sometimes led to designs that were less practical in both regards, what model design(s) would you recommend as the best of the bunch in terms of ‘all-purpose’ saber design? In other words, given your extensive experience with antiques and practice with saber fencing, if you had to settle on a single design (or handful of designs) of saber for fencing with, what would you recommend? Thanks heaps for your time - keep up the great work.

It would be interesting if Matt did a video explaining which saber is his favorite and why.

Hi there! Firstly I would like to say that I absolutely love this channel! Secondly a suggestion if I may: how about a video about messers?

Best video you've done to date Matt.

well made love these weapon analyze videos

If it is so difficult to move around in that room due to all the swords, Matt, of course feel free to gift some of them to me or other subscribers. Your fans are always here to lighten your burden. :-)

Very interesting video, as always, Matt. Somewhat off-topic, have you seen the Polish sabre video on Skallagrim's channel?

I really want a good replica of this now

I still think about this video fairly frequently. This is the video that turned me into a saber fanatic.

Hi Matt! I started transcripting a spanish sabre treatise from 1852, do you have any opinion on Spain's fencing evolution and sources? As far as I'm reading I recognise similarities with french saber (although maybe these are things common to all of them, I don't know yet) and terms borrowed from earlier spanish rapier masters.

Would love to hear more about the 1853!

Your videos are very useful to know about various types of swords. I am really interested in British sabres and Indian tulwar. Could you please explain about the hilt making of both swords along with the leather wrapping with brass wires of sabres. Please explain in detail. I wish to make a replica of both.

Could you do something on the 1803 Infantry sabre?

There's a couple of those on eBay, imported by Tiffany of NY, for use in the American Civil War.

Matt, you're becoming the HEMA version of Thomas Kuhn. Keep up the good work!

I recall vaguely something you said in another video to the effect of "a man armed with a bayonet, all things being equal, will beat out a saber wielder". Now, I may be misremembering, but I'd be very interested in your thoughts on the matchup of a saber against bayonet. (a video perhaps? ;) )

Its not just an excellent sword. It just has that sex appeal to me. I can just tell it was crafted with love by a master sword maker.

I've got one of these wish I could get someone to tell me how to date production on it

Yesss, I love this sword!

I like that one alot . Sabers are certainly growing on me

Matt, thank-you. I'm finally beginning to see the "Logic of Swords". What is good, what is great, what is etc. It escaped me because it is actually logical, I guess. Maybe I should say, rather, that I"m beginning to see it. Its starting to make sense. Once again, thank-you. Dante.

The classic long, slender backsword actually dates back 2,000 years in East Asia. Straight single edged swords from the Qin and Tang Dynasties were highly prized in early Imperial Japan and were the ancestors of the tachi and katana swords. They were the dominant blades among the Khazar and Sassanians trough at least the 7th centuries before curved blades from the steppes began displacing them. Check out the ring-pommel swords (Huan shou dao) The backsword has a very long history because they worked really well.

Excellent, thank you.

Thank you so much for your vids! Love every single one of them and am in the long (but amazingly entertaining) process of watching all of them chronologically - hopefully in a year or so, I'll be watching your newest vids as they come out. I have a question: I live in Munich, Germany so, as far as I know, the only HEMA club here is the Gladiatores München. Do you know anyone from the club and can you tell me if it's worth joining up? Thank you in advance. Cheers.

it looks like a beautiful sword, compromise cut and thrust all the way!

The 1821 looks like a great sword, actually.

"Hey guys, I'm Matt Easton" YOU DIDN'T SAY YOUR ICONIC INTRO "Hey guys, Matt Easton here."!!! IS THIS HOW CIVILIZATION ENDS!?!? D:

Mr. Easton, I would be interested in your thoughts on the WWI versions of this sword as carried by the Royal Artillery, etc. They had steel guards, ray skin, and a different etch. Do you think they were functionally identical, or compromised or improved in some subtle way.

Great video

Great, now I want one. Better start saving.

Matt "I dont want to waffle on too long"........ isnt that why we watch these videos?

Those swords are beautiful!

Could you do something on saber fighting on foot. I am familiar with a number of cavalry sabers, but I don't know which of these would be suitable for use on foot. Also, are there any sabers made for use on foot. Also, what are your thoughts on the replicas made by Universal Swords. They make a wide range of good looking swords but I have never seen one in person.

scholagladiatoria pretty interesting mate, yep love it

Do you have any experience with the U.S. 1833 Dragoon sabre? I've heard they were modeled after 1821 sword, but I was wondering how they compare to each other.

1821 style and 1796 are probably my favorite sabres. Along with the us 1860.

I am new to your channel. I love hearing about British swords. My family has found a sword in Illinois that to me looks like the 1853 sword with the full tang and the 5 bolts on the handle to secure the blade. Question: Are there any other French, or German or American swords with the full tang and 5 bolts in the handle? I was told by the family that this sword we found was from a relative who live from 1810 to 1900 but he had the sword in Illinois in about 1834. Is there a 3 hilt sword with the 5 bolts in the handle that is earlier than the 1853? Thanks

How was Charles Reeves able to patent the 1853 full width tang? Its basically just a knife grip, he has rediscovered the langmesser. You say its more oval but in the video it looks more rectangular and less likely to turn than the 1821 grip. And it would be fairly easy to make it more rectangular by using thinner grip scales.

excellent train of thought and a great argument haha you've convinced me

Why does the officers' version lack the ears and rivet through the tang? If it makes the hilt construction stronger and the grip less likely to come loose it seems like a step backwards to remove that particular feature.

Very interesting indeed and a beautiful sword. I want one! Is it the very best cavalry sword if you look t the cut and thrust blades or is there a even better one out here? I agree that the heavy cavalry version gives you better hand protection but I hold the light cavalry version to be better looking. Some questions:1. I have read about the "Pipe back" versions. What is that?2. There are some presentation swords out there are they the same swords?3. I have also seen an "undress" sword. Is this a combat version?Hope you can helpCheers!

I think, although it might seem uncomfortable to some, the "ears" on the backstrap, besides durability, seem to help a bit with edge alignment, at least that's one thing I notice with my 1796.

Interesting video... What do you think of the Spanish Cavalry swords?

Hi Matt, I realize this vid is over a year old but I just saw it and wanted to ask if you know of any good reproductions of this sword? The 1822 Light Cavalry Saber seems easy for me to find but I'd prefer something like what you presented in this vid!

In my own, humble opinion, not as a sword user, but having owned and wielded one, the 1821 LCS is the most fabulous, fabulous design. Slightly too long for my short 5'1" frame, as I prefer 28" maximum blades. But nevertheless, Matt points out all the salient points. It's probably because it was so ubiquitous, that it has been largely overlooked in "popularity" for more dramatic swords like the 1796 LCS. But that ubiquity is testament to it's worth and value. It might be the "white sliced bread" of swords, but white sliced bread has been around for a very long time and fed many people! In my view, it is overall, for a general sword design, predicated on all aspects of military sword use (thrust/cut/hand protection etc), and not favouring one aspect over another, the best balance use sword design ever. Due to the times it was designed and produced in, it could be manufactured in large quantities, to a standardised proof system. It's really only the change to a thrust-centric use system which rendered them "obsolete", with the introduction of the 1897, followed by the 1908 pattern. Although speaking without the benefit of using one, it seems to me that the current 1897 pattern is a retrograde step, to a pattern which has a somewhat reduced functionality, and definitely less good looking than the 1821. But then, they are really only dress swords now, and are straight bladed, presumably for easy manufacture and thus low cost and easy maintenance. No wonder. I think Prince Charles (or possibly William), when he becomes King, he should change the regulation pattern back to the 1821, personally.

Interesting review ! How would you compare the 1821 british light cavalry sword to the french 1822 light cavalry sword ?

Hi, I'm looking for a good quality replica of the 1821 - any recommendations? Great videos :-) Cheers from Germany!

Hello my name is Alper Ulukut, I have a question that is bouncing in my mind for some time and if you can share your thoughts about it I would be grateful. What is your opinion on paring a saber with a cutlass on the offhand so you use two swords? The reason for this question is i am a practitioner of kenjutsu for 10 years now and I specialize on two sword techniques. Also i am a big admirer of sabers. I have been bouncing this idea in my mind for years and I thought why don't I ask this to someone who is an expert on sabers?

Interesting as this was, I was waiting for you to stop shaking the damn thing and pull it out of it's scabbard!

I thought that was a great presentation, Matt, really informative, thanks. I have one slight quibble, namely, your saying the "backsword" (presumably you mean "sabre") was used for from 1500 to 1900-odd in Europe. If you'd said "Western Europe", I'd have to agree. But what about Central and Eastern Europe and the Balkans? There, the sabre was the weapon of choice from around the Ninth C onwards until WWI. After all, the oldest sabres known to archaeology (at least that I know of) are from c.670 in the Avar Empire. They seem to have spread to Central and East Asia from there. They were regularly used by Byzantines -- and their successors; in Hungary and Poland and on the Ukrainian Steppe and Russia throughout this period. Perhaps it might be a good idea to stop thinking of Europe ending at "the gates of Vienna"? :)

This type of sword is very awesome indeed ! What about the 1821 heavy cavalry was it a good sword? What's your opinion about the French cuirassiers sword ?

Hey, I have decided to start getting a collection of Early Modern swords, with my focus being primarily on Prussia, Russia, the Commonwealth, and Austria. Anybody know where I should start looking when it comes to purchasing these swords? I'd prefer something battle ready.

Speaking of compromises, I'm curious about the material's strengths and weaknesses, and what effect that has on weapon design. To pick a pair of simple examples, bronze swords can't be the size of steel swords, and the katana is significantly influenced by having to produce a good sword out of crappy iron. Would that be an interesting topic for a video?

Dear Matt, do you have any experiance with austrian sabres? Some look quite different.

About that, I would love to see video from you about so called "mamluk sabres" or the oriental swords brought back by British officers and other countries's people afterward, or/and made locally etc. History of those sabres seems great and I don't know a lot about those. I only read several things like what is written on wikipedia and that's not a lot. And since it is your favorite period... I hope to see a vid or two about that one day ! Thanks you !

I really like that design, if you closed in the gaps in the hilt with leaves etc like later swords I'd call it "perfect" because you can't wring any more advantages out of the sword without giving away something else, and it's balance of characteristics is a "good spec" to use RPG terms. I always appreciate your videos and information. I hope the comments help and you don't think I'm a troll lolz

I guess this has been asked a gazillion times but what is your most favorite sabre for fighting on foot?

I'm convinced.

Just curious if you are a fan of George MacDonald Fraser's Flashman books. Not that they get deep into the fencing scenes in terms of which swords and each nuance of how each swing or parry went. But they do cover much of the time you seem to be most interested in.

1796 sword for heavy cavalry, thank you, very much!

just curious, have you any opinion or experience with contempory American cavalry sabers?

Hi Matt, I read one of Hutton's 'soft' book about the sword and duelling through the ages with great pleasure but did not know that Hutton had used swords in anger. What wars had he fought? What sources should I consult if I want to know about Hutton's military exploits?

I've got a deep love for sabers, but unfortunately I'm left handed which kinda scuppers me in terms of guards. :(

so living in victorian times and serving in british army, which sword would you Matt personally choose (if it wasnt regulated)? I know... context. well you could give us one per context. (cavalry, infantry, india, america, field, city, etc.)

Speaking of Personal Preference, despite mass opinion, I really do like the 1796 British Sergeant and Drummers Sabre(probably due to being a Rapier fencer primarily), as for Cavalry Sabres, I like the Napoleonic Light Cavalry Sabre. We all, as swordsmen, have our favourite piece of steel. That's my 2 pence... As for everyone else, what is your favourite sword?

hey Matt do you own a mid 1800's u.s sword or saber of any kind?

Question- the 1821 saber shown here appears to have a 1845 Wilkinson style blade, but I thought the 1821 was supposed to have a pipeback blade. Am I missing something here?

That 1821 sword is really clean! Did you clean that yourself or is that just a very clean antique?

I have what appears to me to be a British 1821 Light Cavalry sword but it has a four bar guard and is only 27.5 inches long. Judging by the wire wound shagreen grip it was on officers's weapon but I cannot find a makers name or stamp on it. I am confused! Help. Philip crook

How similar are the British 1908 sword and the American 1913 "Patton" sword? Are they the same length and weight, do they have the same blade and hilt? Were they used the same way?

Hey Matt, I recently acquired my first antique sword: an M1893 Swedish cavalry saber, got any experience/thoughts on it?

These look so similar to the American 1860 light cavalry saber. There has to be some relationship

I'm not sure how much you know about American swords, but what do you think about the M1862 Light Cavalry Saber?

Didn't the original pattern 1821 have a pipe-back that may have hindered cutting ability? I believe after a few years that aspect of the blade design was changed.

where might I purchase a quality replica, hopefully left-handed?

I wasn't interested in sabers until I started watching your videos. I wasn't really interested in swords. Your videos have me caring about the difference between three different patterns of English cavalry sabers.

Full width tang? Does that make it a messer?

Just a few hours ago i was in an antique shop in England and saw a pair of these 1821 pattern cavalry sabres up for sale. The pair cost £850. Does anybody know whether that is a good deal or whether I should try to haggle them down lower? They seemed to be in good condition and complete with scabbards though I did not get a view of the blades.

As a rule of thumb, how well do sabers fare against armor?

I know you might not be an expert on modern military swords but I was wondering what you thought of so called "tactical" swords regarding their design and use in modern combat.

I would surmise that the grip of the 1821, with its grip both peened and pinned, was not very much if at all weaker than the "patent tang".

How come the officers version looks like it did away with the metal back strap?

Just wondering, do you have any intention of digging into the other designs used in europe during this time period? I'm sure it would be a pain in the ass but I'd enjoy your thoughts on them and... well sword porn, cheers!

I don't have any experience using swords, so I can't speak to whether this sword is a good sword. I will say that the 1821 is a beautiful sword. If I were collecting, I'd love to have one.

I have one

who long would last a dead battle between 2 knights full armor equipped ?? I want to know the media, and I not talking about the best warriors, just situation where two enemies with: same weapons and counter weapons fight to death full equipped.

So its better to have a Tulwar with a small shield ? Being able to attack at short range is better with a shield because first hits are most of the time blocked by the shield , and going to short range is easier and sometimes unavoidable ?

I think the only criticism i have with this sword is the hilt and i would rather have the 1857 Royal engineers hilt which looks more beautiful and far more protective than the 3 bars.Anyway, this sword is still oustanding .

12:15 - No laughing, camera man!

"...it is quite hard navigating around in this room with so many swords, let me tell you..." Rather a nice problem to have, really.

Ok, I'm convinced. Where can I get one?