British pattern Infantry sword....please help

[katana]

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

Although it has often been contended that military weapons are somewhat outside the scope of 'ethnographic weapons' , I have always considered them extremely pertinant. In so many instances these weapons have become the donors for the blades found on many native weapons, and often have been the influence for developing indiginous forms.

All the best,
Jim

I have to say that I totally agree Jim and thats what I mean't by 'putting in some form of context'

Originally Posted by Tim Simmons

In 1854 the royal cypher was replaced by the regimental badge.

Thanks Tim, The 51st /105th Foot saw alot of action from that date, preceding 1854 they had a number of 'Battle Honours' including Waterloo.

1854 India
1857 India
1857 Sepoy rebellion
1858 India
1863 Ambela expedition
1863 India
1872 India
1877 Jowaki operations

1878 India
1878 Afghanistan

1880 India
1881.07.01 1st Battalion, The King's Own Light Infantry (South Yorkshire Regiment)

1881 India: Dinapore
1885 - 2nd Bn. Malta, India (Karachi, Hyderabad, Quetta), Zhob Valley
Expedition, then Bombay, Poona and Nasirabad
1886 Burma

1887-1889 - Third Burmese War - Upper Burma Field Force
1st Battalion, The King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
1895.12 Gold Coast: Ashanti war (det)
1897 Mullingar
1899-1902 2nd Bn. - South African War - Belmont, Graspan, Modder River and Magersfontein, Kimberley, Fourteen Streams, Boshof, Gittenbergen. Orange Free State - Lindley, Bethlehem. Pretoria, Rustenberg (Nooitgedact and Bakenlaagnte) and Krugersdorp. Transvaal to Dundee and back to Transvaal. Also included 4th Battalion King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (T.A.)
1906 South Africa


Apparently the Light Infantry were 'skirmishers' deployed to disrupt the enemy line and 'force' the 'broken line'. The sword, being shorter than the military pattern, suggests two things....1. that close combat (often faced by skirmishers) would favour the shorter sword ? Or 2. the sword was made this length or cut down from standard length, possibly in India? Jim has mentioned before that the regulations in India were a little more lax and perhaps this blade length suited an individual or the battle conditions that they faced????

If anyone has any suggestions as to this 'shortened ?' sword I will be very pleased to hear them....

Regards David