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British Cavalry Sword by Dellar

Rated 5.00 out of 5 based on 1 customer rating
(1 customer review)

$89.99

The British Cavalry Sword 1788–1912: Some New Perspectives by Richard Dellar

It is now more than 38 years since the publication of Brian Robson’s original edition of Swords of the British Army, the Regulation Patterns 1788-1912. ‘Robson’ was an inspiration to many and remains the primary reference source for British military swords until the present day. However, since the publication of ‘Robson’ in 1975 knowledge of the subject has inevitably increased. This new book on the British Cavalry Sword seeks to update and complement ‘Robson’, providing new detail and ideas relating to regulation patterns and introducing many previously unpublished variants. The book also seeks to place the British Cavalry Sword within its historical context and contains a series of vignettes relating to the people who carried the swords and the cutlers who made them. The book draws upon the knowledge of many specialists and collectors; many of the swords illustrated are in private collections and are illustrated for the first time.

Details:

  • Hardcover with dustjacket
  • 9.5″ x 11.25″
  • 326 pages
  • 475 color photos

1 review for British Cavalry Sword by Dellar

  1. Rated 5 out of 5

    Paul Vasquez (verified owner)

    So as it says in the blurb, this is an update of Robson for just Cavalry swords, though the blurb doesn’t mention that Robson was revised in 1996. Dellar is aware of the update and comments on both editions where it’s helpful. The perspective buyer of this volume may wonder that a 1996 resource can stand the benefit of further detailed treatment just on the Cavalry swords, but I can assure you there’s plenty to show. For instance, Robson doesn’t give full blade photos of the so-called Trooper swords of 1821, light or heavy. As it happens, that type of flat diamond cross-section spear-point was quite influential and was the first time it was used. Dellar has 4, 2 each for light and heavy, and quite helpfully organizes the information in close proximity to the officer patterns for easy contrast. He also confirms that the “Wilkinson type” blade of the later officer version was “virtually the same as which had been used for the 1821 pattern troopers’ sword” pg 118, and also that the switch was first unofficial and only actually formalized in 1845. Almost all the photos are color (though in the case of more utilitarian examples, that’s less important) and quite clear. I only wish it came in an electronic edition. Also the author has privately published a small companion in 2019 but it’s not a necessary contribution to the collector like this volume which is probably why Mowbray hasn’t purchased the distribution rights.

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