4th Light Dragoons Regimental Sword

Jim McDougall · 31st December 2023, 03:29 PM

What a beautiful and excitingly important sword Bryce!!!
Your collection of examples of swords with stellar provenance is not only remarkable, but astounding! I cannot thank you enough for always sharing them so openly with us here. Its better than a museum!!!!

While this sword of course was not carried in the 'Charge' itself, it belonged to this most important officer later, and by that virtue offers us distinct connection to someone 'who was there'. That to me is a most exciting dynamic.

In "Hell Riders" (Terry Brighton, 2004) Captain Alexander Low is mentioned a number of times, notably he was duty field officer of the day Oct.25th 1854 and was the first to notice Russians had moved up at about 530 AM near the picket at Kamara. (p.82)

During the 'Charge' it was noted that he was carrying a saber "..of considerably more than regulation length, and dispatched eleven Russians".
This was after the formation had gone through the guns, and the 4th Dragoons went at the gunners 'with vengeance' (p.156).

It seems the horses were quite blown in the Charge and as they rode, Capt. Thomas Hutton was severely wounded by a musket ball in his right leg (p.134), he called to Capt Low.....who told him....."stay to your saddle! No use to go back now, you'll be killed!
Many horses had been killed, and troopers took shelter behind their dead mounts as Russian snipers were picking off dismounted men who were unable to grab riderless horses.

31st December 2023, 03:29 PM	#2
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,953	What a beautiful and excitingly important sword Bryce!!! Your collection of examples of swords with stellar provenance is not only remarkable, but astounding! I cannot thank you enough for always sharing them so openly with us here. Its better than a museum!!!! While this sword of course was not carried in the 'Charge' itself, it belonged to this most important officer later, and by that virtue offers us distinct connection to someone 'who was there'. That to me is a most exciting dynamic. In "Hell Riders" (Terry Brighton, 2004) Captain Alexander Low is mentioned a number of times, notably he was duty field officer of the day Oct.25th 1854 and was the first to notice Russians had moved up at about 530 AM near the picket at Kamara. (p.82) During the 'Charge' it was noted that he was carrying a saber "..of considerably more than regulation length, and dispatched eleven Russians". This was after the formation had gone through the guns, and the 4th Dragoons went at the gunners 'with vengeance' (p.156). It seems the horses were quite blown in the Charge and as they rode, Capt. Thomas Hutton was severely wounded by a musket ball in his right leg (p.134), he called to Capt Low.....who told him....."stay to your saddle! No use to go back now, you'll be killed! Many horses had been killed, and troopers took shelter behind their dead mounts as Russian snipers were picking off dismounted men who were unable to grab riderless horses.