Ethnographic Arms & Armour - View Single Post

Jim McDougall · Yesterday, 06:07 PM

While the topic here is the use of the British M1796 cavalry saber in Spanish use, I wanted to again expand on how widely popular these actually were.
If I recall, the French had actually regarded these sabers as 'barbaric' in their grisly effectiveness in combat, trying to decry their use in accord with the notions of guidelines in engagement (sort of pre-Geneva convention).

However, that very effect became notably sought after in these heavy, hatchet point blades, and not only the sabers but especially the blades became widely used.

In noting the earlier posted example here of a French ANXI saber with a blade by Gill, I would bring up the high reputation Thomas Gill of Birmingham had established after the 'sword scandal tests' of 1786. In these matters he pared his blades against several other British makers as well as German blades.
While the other blades failed in notable number, only 4 of his did (out of 2600 examples).
In "Recollections of the Late Mr. Thomas Gill" (p.15) by his son in 1830;
"...Gills blades were so successful that even German officers preferred them to those manufactured in Germany".

In notes regarding the French Revolution and French arms in general of these times, it seems that reputation had become well known as Gill was also involved in other arms forms and innovations.

I am hoping to start another thread in broader scope (beyond Spanish use) on the spectrum of use of the M1796 sabers in other contexts beyond the Peninsula and Germany (with the M1811 Bluchers).

Yesterday, 06:07 PM	#4
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,185	GILL BLADES While the topic here is the use of the British M1796 cavalry saber in Spanish use, I wanted to again expand on how widely popular these actually were. If I recall, the French had actually regarded these sabers as 'barbaric' in their grisly effectiveness in combat, trying to decry their use in accord with the notions of guidelines in engagement (sort of pre-Geneva convention). However, that very effect became notably sought after in these heavy, hatchet point blades, and not only the sabers but especially the blades became widely used. In noting the earlier posted example here of a French ANXI saber with a blade by Gill, I would bring up the high reputation Thomas Gill of Birmingham had established after the 'sword scandal tests' of 1786. In these matters he pared his blades against several other British makers as well as German blades. While the other blades failed in notable number, only 4 of his did (out of 2600 examples). In "Recollections of the Late Mr. Thomas Gill" (p.15) by his son in 1830; "...Gills blades were so successful that even German officers preferred them to those manufactured in Germany". In notes regarding the French Revolution and French arms in general of these times, it seems that reputation had become well known as Gill was also involved in other arms forms and innovations. I am hoping to start another thread in broader scope (beyond Spanish use) on the spectrum of use of the M1796 sabers in other contexts beyond the Peninsula and Germany (with the M1811 Bluchers).