Antique French & British Non Regulation Swords: Similar Empire Contexts

[@michaelshelton5488]

"Context" right in the title. Very on brand. 👍👏

[@Templarium]

I think little by little you have become my favorite youtube "sword" channel. I'm more likely to click on one of your videos than one of your peers. Keep up the great work!

[@LawkzBro]

I'm interested in that tidbit about the fuller, could you make a video on a topic like that? Either a video just about fullers or a video about these late developments in sword making, like those curved swords with spear-like tip, that's another thing I don't see much of in older sword types.

[@Fragaut]

He's done a vid about this 1882 sword (and his befuddlement about the fuller) : kzbin.info/www/bejne/jmaudoZjj5eZfdE

[@LawkzBro]

@@Fragaut thanks

[@larsadlerz3839]

When it comes to a longer saber I think it could be the height of the man. In the US Marines we have swords for ceremony and my height of 6'4" the Marines wanted me using a longer sword for appearance and drill.

[@MadNumForce]

What also played a role is that far from the capital, almost on their own, officiers were just more free to do whatever they wanted. How often did a superior officer from the homeland make an inspection visit? Would any officer with experience, possibly speaking the local dialects, be punished just because in a parade his sword looked different? In that context, competition between individuals and expression of self can bloom, and find its realization in sword designs.

[@somethingsomethingsomethingdar]

Breathing in deeply: this ones gonna be a tough drinking game video. Context is in the title. Take a shot each time he says context

[@Odin029]

I do have an unopened bottle of Patron on my desk.

[@Sbevewagon4493]

@@Odin029 it should be an empty bottle soon

[@PalleRasmussen]

Lloyd is going to have a heart attack Matt, this will be his death.

[@karisvenner3892]

Well after his "Napoleon is the evilest evil that has ever eviled" bit, I wouldn't really care overly much what Lloyd thinks of this video, you just have to assume that every time he talks about the French, he is barely more credible than a Exxon representative explaining Climate change. (A subject that he incidentally made videos about).

[@lofowens]

Keep in mind that he exaggerates a bit to be funny. At the heart of things, he wasn't wrong about Napoleon being a pretty awful human being with oceans of blood on his hands.

[@LawkzBro]

@@karisvenner3892 Even if the information isn't 100% unbiased and credible, I have to admit I find his rants about the french awfully entertaining, and that has to count for something.

[@PalleRasmussen]

@@karisvenner3892 he is a bit like All Murray in that respect.

[@karisvenner3892]

​@@lofowens Well no, he doesn't say Napoleon is bad (which is true, although relative), he says Napoleon is the worst thing ever, the world would have been better without him and the British are paragons of virtue for having defeated him. This is just a complete load of bullshit. The Brits fought Napoleon because ... he was a threat to them, that's it. Every single ruler that the British allied themselves with was WAY WAY worse than Napoleon (not to mention the fair and progressive Pashas of the Ottoman Empire). - He reinstituted slavery (under British pressure) ... in a world where everyone still had it in place. - He invaded countries ... that declared war on him in the first place (except Spain which is inexcusable and Russia which broke it's peace terms). - He was trying to expand the Empire ... The Brits would never dare do such a thing /s Napoleon was less Authoritarian than Mussolini, or even Franco, and Lloyd puts him above Hitler and besides Mao. This is just delusional, British subjects back in the day probably had a more balanced view than this despite all the propaganda, it's purely farcical. The only way you can have such a one sided view of history is if you ignore every single aspect that was good, and blame everything bad that ever happened on Napoleon. This is not History this is 100% bias, and I don't see why this kind of bigotry (it isn't banter at this point) should be overlooked as "just a gimmick". Especially since he never makes it clear the distinction between facts and exaggeration. He just isn't remotely trustworthy on anything regarding "Britain" or "France" or worse "Britain and France".

[@Th0ughtf0rce]

You can usually identify the time frame by poincons if they're from the main factories. The list for Chatellerault and Klingenthal can be found online. Also, Chatellerault blades seem to be heavier and more serious from what I've seen and held.

[@eldorados_lost_searcher]

Can you clarify what you mean by "more serious?"

[@Th0ughtf0rce]

@@eldorados_lost_searcher stiffer and heavier usually. I guess they just feel more solid in the hand. Like it will last an actual campaign. Not just for say, first blood duels.

[@Morgoth052]

I would love to see more French swords, even if you don't consider yourself an expert. I find them particularly aesthetically pleasing.

[@markfergerson2145]

You've often spoken of officers "getting away with" having not-quite-regulation customized swords on duty, but I can't recall you ever comparing them to outright fantasy swords. This needs more explanation and detail. I realize that examples will be difficult to acquire and bring before the camera but please sir, can we have some more?

[@grailknight6794]

Fantasie

[@implausibleimpossiblehypot4006]

@@grailknight6794 ahh so like not the same as fantasy gotcha

[@jean-pascalesparceil9008]

@@implausibleimpossiblehypot4006 the english equivalent term is "non-regulation".

[@implausibleimpossiblehypot4006]

@@jean-pascalesparceil9008 yeah I figured that out from some research

[@jean-pascalesparceil9008]

Hello Matt. Being familiar with the Musée de l'Armée and the Defense Historical Service collections, I think you are right for the first sword, almost all iron guards on "fantaisie" (the right translation in military english is "non-regulation") swords were made for officers serving in Africa. For the second one, there were four blade lengths: 900 mm, 850 mm, 800 mm, 750 mm in the 1882 pattern. Last one, I haven't see the same sword, it could be a one of its kind, Coulaux was in Klingenthal, Alsace, part of the German Empire from 1871 to 1918. Pattern 1822 light cavalry and 1882 are quite common in France, as well as decorated gifted swords, but not the first and the last ones. If these swords come from France, how easy it is to import antique bladed weapons from the EU now?

[@rogerlafrance6355]

Officers of rank, both military and noble equipped themselves with what ever kit they fancied, could afford and still do. Not only did they spend for the best horse tack, the bought the best guns and swords that they liked. Regulation was more about the Squadies who got issued whatever the royal arsenal had laying about and once in the colonies, went bush, buying whatever they could use to improve their kit.

[@michaelholloway8]

I learned something! Thanks.👍👍

[@not-a-theist8251]

Love these French swords. Glad you made a video about the 19th century again

[@briannicholas2757]

I have a French made sword in my collection, which is very similar to these. It has the same type of blade, it even still has the leather washer. It has a brass hilt with 3 side bars flowing into the knuckle bow. The grip appears to be a dark brown wood or possibly something akin to bakelite, and still has some of the wire wrapping. I believe the hilt was gilded, there are slight traces of it. The makers name on the ricasso is BALP (BALY) in caps on the top line and a second line in smaller print which reads, SIETIENNE. I'd love to know more about it and the maker. Most of my swords are either US and British with some Imperial German and other European types.

[@emmanueleustache179]

I fully agree with your idea that people still viewed swords as weapons at the beginning of WW1. In fact, I have a french book from 1916 (“Perdus ?” By J.-H. Rosny-Ainé); it’s a novel about three french aviators trying to escape from Germany, and at one point of the story, they come face-to-face with a group of German soldiers. After a few gunshots, the German officer starts a sabre duel with one of the protagonists, and we can see the way the author writes it that it’s not just something he wrote because he thought it would be cool; the author really describes the movements made by each part as if anyone reading the book would know exactly what the technical terms refer to, and both the German and the French seem to naturally have an excellent sword level. This may tell us something about the status of sword fighting in French 1916 society. (And of course eventually the French guy wins the duel.)

[@johnbattyll6874]

Interesting video.

[@BlackHawk2b]

Bonne vidéo !

[@kappananpa9495]

Well, we have quite a lot in common not just swords (and spilled blood), even if some people want to see only the things that separates us. This was quite interesting so thank you for the video and see you from Normandy.

[@surajrs878]

Sir can you kindly do a video on metal handles on swords and how they attach it and types of metals which is used to make handle??and sir you can also include, the difference between metal handles in talwar and frech swords

[@jacobblocker6406]

I had a question about how Soldiers and officers distinguish their swords from others when they were all issued a standard looking sword I’m in a human club and occasionally we have this mixup this wouldn’t just apply to swords but also helmets and other issued equipment

[@LawkzBro]

Nice question. But what the hell is a human club? Did you mean hema and it was auto corrected?

[@jacobblocker6406]

Yeah Auto correct gets me every time

[@user-ii5im7zm2t]

@@LawkzBro "How do you do, fellow humans? Why yes, I'll join your club. As long as you don't let those snooty Alpha Centaurians join..."

[@akashahuja2346]

Many issued British Cavalry swords have a rack number engraved or stamped onto it (usually on the hilt and scabbard) put there by the cavalry unit when the swords were first received. The officers would not likely get their swords nixed up with an issued troopers as they look and feel different and would not get racked up with the troopers swords but as personal property of the officer's would be kept with them or in their quarters.

[@kappananpa9495]

My grandpa and my father have both the same parade sword model but there is a different marking and serial number on the blade near the hilt.

[@itsapittie]

I have an original 1882 French infantry officer's sword. It's beautifully agile and a great thruster but it doesn't cut worth a crap. 🙃 Since I don't actually fight with swords, I don't mind and it's one of my favorites.

[@wiskadjak]

If you wanted you could take some foil lessons and then you'd have a pretty good idea how a thrusting sword like yours is used. French officers would have learned the same way.

[@itsapittie]

@@wiskadjak I may do that someday.

[@WolfKenneth]

Matt could you give us some book recommendations for military swords? Especially continental swords.

[@normtrooper4392]

The more I learn about 19th century swords, the more I find myself looking at the French ones

[@eldorados_lost_searcher]

They had a reputation of being top of the line, didn't they?

[@andrewsock6203]

I wouldn’t doubt if part of the reason the sword was used up to WW1 was to reach areas without a supply chain. You need a supply chain to feed hungry guns. With swords you can use all of your gun ammo before retreating and still ride home with personal defence. Or hold the position with swords after it has been taken.

[@manchagojohnsonmanchago6367]

matt, what about russia, after all it would have to have had far far more exprience with swords in the 19th century than the british or french.. i wounder what patterns of sword private purchase for officers preferred

[@FieryCheeze]

I suspect it will be harder to find such swords today. Imperial and White Russian swords would likely have been captured and destroyed by Communist forces or taken wherever those officers fled. And since many went to China and Japan and then were subsequently killed off after WW2...

[@hazzardalsohazzard2624]

Many White Russians went into exile and then fought for Japan in WW2, where they were betrayed by Japan, or captured or surrendered to the USSR where they were killed. They'd likely be in Japan or China today, if they survived.

[@rileyernst9086]

It must be added that cavalry was also very useful and powerful in WW1 in the more mobile theatres, both as a mobilisation of fighting men and as outright cavalry. In the Near Eastern theartre in ww1(which is fascinating for the mix of mechanisation and use of traditional cavalry) horses and camels were very much vital in warfare. Lances and swords were still vital tools till even after the Turkish surrender. Even with the advent of the machinegun armed armoured car, or light scout car. I've read a good account by the Australian Light Car patrols (operating stripped down ford Ts) in Palestine operating alongside an Indian lancer unit. The Australians were doing a bit of recon and noticed a heap of German cavalry dismounting for an assault on a British popsition, so they dismounted their lewis guns and layed harassing fire on German troops from a flank, the Germans were forced to take cover, and this meant they could not put themselves into position to resist the Indian lancer charge.

[@AriMalatesta]

9:55 Perhaps he was a very tall man, or with long arms, and a regulation sword felt just "short" for him, in terms of balance and handling... If this is a custom made sword the "ok, this feels right" factor is a thing, I'd guess... In that same area, maybe he was compensating for being a small guy... who knows? Thinking about the person, not the weapon itself, is what connect us with each other, in the past and now. I love that.

[@itsapittie]

Came in 23 seconds after it was posted and still wasn't first. 😄

[@Deathelement53]

Random question Matt. Why weren't Lance's more common on the battlefield of the napoleonic wars. Surely there's only advantages to giving your light cavalry lances aswell as the light cavalry sword

[@neilmorrison7356]

The length of blade could also depended on the length of the arm of the officer to allow for drawing and sheathing the sword. Is this also another context!

[@postie48]

Maybe on Colonial service the officers would be more likely to be at formal events, representing the empire, among people who expected swords to be 'formal attire',so more commonly worn - and I assume custom swords were 'relatively' cheaper than earlier days. So social status and disposable income?

[@IPostSwords]

I would say 1870's is a fair dating for your "fantasie" african colonial officers example, with the steel hilt, ridges, and its ricasso.

[@FlatcapHobbit]

It’s kind of curious that they seemed to spend a lot of time and energy in reinventing the rapier that they didn’t just take the specs off an old antique rapier blade and start manufacturing that?

[@jackbuchanan9085]

How much are replicas? I want one if they are affordable?

[@FelixstoweFoamForge]

3.17. There was nothing "honourable" about John Company! oh, and Matt, the ONLY thing that Britain and France have ever had in common is how much we dislike each other. But great vid none the less!

[@aggroalex5470]

What did you think of "For The Saber" cinematic documentary? I know there are mixed opinions about Polish swordsmanship regarding surviving historical texts.

[@dancrockett7370]

What 'bout Mad Jack Churchill?

[@rylie8989]

What's with narrow bladed thrusting swords always having giant gaps in their otherwise complex hand guards?

[@LawkzBro]

I assume it's for lightness, but i'm not that certain.

[@MrSam1er]

Because it's not really relevant. You don't catch thrusts on your guard, and even if you did, most attacks aren't thrusts (even more so in colonial warfare)

[@LawkzBro]

@@MrSam1er I'd assume a few thrusts would land on the guard in a duel, why not? (I don't know too much about fencing)

[@rylie8989]

@@MrSam1er I get ideally you don't, but like there have to have been instances of people messing up a parry and getting stabbed in the hand, right?

[@MrSam1er]

I'm not a 19th century sword designer, but it seems they didn't think that it was likely enough to get poked in the hand. Adding metal there would make the sword heavier

[@seanpoore2428]

Both are complex hilted, single handed, cut & thrust, European military sabers?

[@Chabal117]

Can I buy one of your sabre's?

[@hazzardalsohazzard2624]

Check his website, Easton Antique Arms

[@Norvik_-ug3ge]

When did the British armed forces cease to train their officers in sword combat? Why wouldn't a mediaeval sword like a falchion, or indeed a spear be suited to, say, the North West frontier of India?

[@blaircolquhoun7780]

Were these used in the trenches?

[@brittakriep2938]

Try it!

[@Robert399]

Not for long (and not because they're bad). Matt's done a video about it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jIGmfZhrarF1oNE

[@implausibleimpossiblehypot4006]

I owned one of these when I was like 13 it was my prize possession but after my father died someone in my family stole all my swords and pawned them years of hard work to buy those swords. Im 18 and work construction and I’ll never have the money to get them now because ima father

[@rina-ehre]

0 dislikes. People like non regulation swords!

[@Templarium]

googling this sword found a picture of a similar looking sword that was described as "WW1 version of the 1882". Maybe that's what you have?

[@lachy1709]

0 dislikes, as it should be

[@LuxisAlukard]

0:01 They used them to cut and thrust Germans?

[@brittakriep2938]

Franco- Prussian war? The soldiers of Bayern, Sachsen, Württemberg, Baden, Oldenburg, Mecklenburg- Schwerin , Mecklenburg- Strelitz, Sachsen- Weimar - Eisenach, Anhalt, Braunschweig, Sachsen- Coburg- Gotha, Sachsen- Meiningen, Sachsen- Altenburg, Waldeck- Pyrmont, Lippe- Detmold, Schwarzburg- Rudolstadt , Schwarzburg- Sondershausen, Reuß- Greitz, Reuß- Schleitz, Hamburg, Bremen and Lübeck had not been involved? ;-))

[@imarthur1910]

Where is the feeders review? Come on our HEMA people wants to watch that 🙃

[@ramibairi5562]

Will we see Brtiish non regulation swords again ?

[@brandonhughes179]

Video idea for you, Matt: discuss the Reasons for historic European imperialism, which frankly seems unmatched by any other continent

[@inregionecaecorum]

What particular firearm, in terms of popularity and usage, do you think finally put paid to the military utility of carrying a sword? I am guessing sub machine gun.

[@AnkanBob]

Sword

[@robertjensen1438]

Just a comment for the algorithm

[@JosephKerr27]

Maybe the guy was tall...

[@theassening4563]

Matt Is My Waifu

[@gill1485]

Hey buddy i have got 1 sword same like this. I want to sale it. If anyone interested let me know. I am from punjab india.

[@buffordevans6942]

Matt Have you been hanging out at the weight pile my man ? Looks like you are getting yoked Buddy 🙂

[@mikepette4422]

less than honourable east india company

[@nobodyrissole1921]

Eat more food Skeletor.

[@yorkshire_tea_innit8097]

Your casual attitude towards the French is so disgustingly middle class Matt.

[@john-paulsilke893]

😁