Sword for ID ... please

[kronckew]

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

..I am wondering if perhaps flank company officers, who like infantry officers, were typically mounted might have preferred the option for both.

...

...Until rifles became more prevalent on the battlefield, especially with skirmishers, who were rather fond of shooting officers, easily distinguished by being mounted. This also signalled the death-knell of infantry officers carrying swords in WW1. Maybe they still mounted for parades.