What a fascinating topic Simon! and I hope you'll keep us posted on your findings..in addition to hopefully others will join in on the research and share the information here.
Norman has as always, offered sound insight into the most plausibly present edged weapons during this period. I think his note on the use of the M1803 flank company officers sabre for the 53rd would be most likely. The officers in India were much more inclined toward sabres in the Raj, and the M1796 infantry officers sword was already wrought with disdain from the officers who used in in the Peninsula.
Dragoons indeed did use the heavy cavalry M1796 swords, and there were undress patterns for officers which if I recall had a pierced bowl type guard, something called a 'honeysuckle' pattern (?) I need to look this up, its been a very long time! I think the data is in 'Robson'.
Tulwars were of course well known in Nepal, and I would be reasonably certain the Gurkhas would have had them, especially officers or leaders.
The heavy cavalry M1796 patterns were terribly cumbersome, and definitely ill suited in combat against fast moving Gurkhas with kukris!! These swords were huge, unwieldy, and if I recall Robsons words correctly, one of the worst swords ever inflicted on the British army....not exactly a stellar review.
I still like them, incredible history!!! but for combat, especially in these circumstances....not good.
Now, the best topic of all, swords used by British officers of the Bengal Army.
In these times, British officers had already enjoyed extreme latitude in thier fashions including of course, weapons. While in most cases, many of the more rigidly regimented officers would have likely carried the patterns of sword typically in place at the time by regulation. However, in these times, the flamboyance of many officers led to the use of fascinating hybrid forms and native style weapons.
I have seen many tulwars carrying M1796 officers blades, and while it is often presumed these were captured blades used by Indian forces, the converse may be true, an officer mounting his blade in a local style hilt.
Of course, speculation, but as the Raj progessed, British officers adopted Indian fashion widely, leading to the colorful pageantry of the Native Indian regiments....Bengal Lancers et al!!
I look forward to progress with this topic Simon!!!
All the best,
Jim
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