British Army Victorian Royal Engineers Officers' Swords

[@not-a-theist8251]

the royal engineers sound very interesting. I would love a dedicated video about them :)

[@robertmiller2831]

Lukas Schäfer I second this!!!!

[@martytu20]

Basically a civil engineer without AutoCAD who can also lead troops.

[@Robert399]

They build stuff and blow stuff up.

[@Jellaman01]

Lukas Schäfer imagine bridge building and explosives. That’s our job.

[@jordantheoneandonly3880]

Robert R DESTROY BUILD DESTROY

[@unap16]

That 1857 pattern's hand-guard is so beautiful. The colour of brass complements the steel quite exquisitely.

[@historyandsabre]

I see a schola video on antique sabres, I click. On a sidenote, I believe that a brass hilt like the 1857 pattern is perfectly fine in terms of strength if you're not hitting it with a sledgehammer. Sure I'd opt for a steel guard when in doubt but it'll be fine 95% of the time.

[@islaymassive1530]

Esspecialy when you take into account wich swords you are fighting against. A thin quick military sword isnt going to chop throuh a Brass guard. A late medival falchion or some other type of chopping sword would maybe stand a chance of getting trough, but a military sword wont stand a chance

[@Yakubian_Tactical_Dynamics]

I've tried to cut brass guards a lot. They are not easy to get into!

[@raics101]

@Colin Cleveland Yeah, it depends a ton on the manufacturing method, cast brass is prone to breaking but I wouldn't worry much about using a forged brass guard in place of a steel one.

[@historyandsabre]

@@raics101 Good point. The Austrian cavalry, for instance, kept having problems with their swords before the 1869 model came out. Before that, they were using softer cast iron/steel as a guard material and had problems with duarability. For trooper's swords, I guess it's often a question of efficiency and cost. It simply wouldn't have been sensible or possible to have forged guards for thens of thousands of trooper's swords.

[@raics101]

@@historyandsabre Sure, using cast iron instead of cast brass would hardly be an improvement. Even back then the forging of a guard wouldn't have been done by hand so the cost increase for the process wouldn't be too high, but it's still an increase so it probably had to be proven first that the cast guards are a liability before the government approved it.

[@harjutapa]

I would love to see a series of videos titled Adventures of the Royal Engineers.

[@googlesword9209]

I wonder, were there ever custom grip colors you could get on 19th century sabers? Reds, blues etc.

[@scholagladiatoria]

Generally the regulation was to have a black grip - with age and wear they tend to return to the natural shark skin grey.

[@holyknightthatpwns]

Hey Matt, have you done a video on general sword maintenance? I know I can get that kind of information in other places on the internet, but I particularly respect your opinion on the topic. Cheers, mate

[@ramibairi5562]

Great video ! Looking forward to see the coldstream guard swords of the Crimean war.

[@0097205]

Royal Engineers Officers stories please! Can't wait

[@-Zevin-]

Speaking of brass guards, Is there any historical accounts, i mean any, from any country, of a brass guard actually catastrophically failing in a fight, and as a result wounding mortally or otherwise the person holding the sword? It seems very unlikely to me for a brass guard to fail from standard sword blows, unless someone went and walloped the thing with a war hammer.

[@RelativelyBest]

Not brass, but in the Swedish Royal Armory I distinctly recall seeing a sword - I think some sort of rapier or sidesword type affair - where one of the steel rings of the guard had been cut straight through and never repaired. I'm pretty sure it belonged to one of our kings so it was presumably decent quality. Considering something like that could happen to a steel guard, it would probably be even more likely with a brass one. That said, I doubt it was common or resulted in particularly serious injuries. More likely a brass guard would have been more susceptible to getting ruined over time by cumulative damage, more vulnerable to getting banged into stuff, etc, giving it a shorter lifespan so to speak. Over-all I suspect the British simply liked a bit of extra durability on general principle, not because people kept losing fingers or whatnot, whereas for example the French felt that brass was "good enough" and that brass guards being easier to make and looking nicer made up for it.

[@jcastle614]

Great video 👍 Mr Easton. Beautiful sword, love that pattern!🤺💂

[@BruceEEvans1]

Yes, please. A video dedicated to the Royal Engineers. Bruce Evans BSEE

[@jameslittleton4131]

Awesome, I was just looking at this style of sword the other day for some writing I want to do. Serendipty.

[@bazaks447]

Love the sword stuff. please do more history. Credible objective source.

[@11ops11]

Really cool video!

[@mallardtheduck406]

I definitely learned alot about the Royal Engineer's... Very interesting.

[@harjutapa]

5:37 - that beard is glorious

[@mtgAzim]

More stories about the Royal Engineers Officers would be fantastic, and very well received! ^_^

[@bigmal1690]

On lockdown and looking for things to keep me busy, I've started to make my own knife, always wanted to make a knife but never had the time, I got a samurai set years ago, u know the 1 with a big sword middle size sword and small kinda knife sword, so the handle on the small 1 was a bit broken but the blade was good, and it surprised me how good the steel was on these by trying to cut it into the shape I wanted with a grinder, I bought these 2nd hand and only paid about £25 for the set, so I have the blade finished into the way I wanted, kinda like a k-bar shape, cause I'm going for the fighting knife look, I'm going to use wood for the grips, a piece of brass at the blade and back, I'm thinkin of putting detachable knuckle dusters that can slide on and off on a dovetail rail on the bottom of the grips but haven't decided yet, I'll send u a pic of them if u like when I'm done, see yeah and keep safe

[@odedmartial-arts1455]

I love that guard (it also featured in a few previous videos). Always happy to hear praise for the engineering corp... I served over 4 years in the IDF engineering corp, so... We didn't dig wells, though... :)

[@johnhanley9946]

Good video, very interesting history!

[@jcorbett9620]

According to that font of trivia , Wikipedia, he was a Lieutenant at the granting of his British Patent.

[@scholagladiatoria]

Which is pretty impressive considering that is a comparatively junior rank.

[@Mike_AR_15]

Hi Matt greetings from Los Angeles California, good video

[@trondbirkeland8094]

Interesting video! I have heard that artillery officers (or at forts/gun batteries) had brass handles on their swords to prevent accidental sparks from igniting gun powder. Is there anything to this?

[@scholagladiatoria]

Not in the British military - they had steel hilts. Though some forms of gunners' short swords did have brass hilts and in the French military they all had brass hilts.

[@brittakriep2938]

For working at a place , where an explosion is possible , tools made of copper are in use.

[@Leery_Bard]

Since we're mentioning symmetry... Any suggestions for a type of sword or sabre that is fairly easily found on the market (at not to steep a price) with a left-handed (or symmetrical) grip? Even nice quality modern replicas of arming swords and falchions at reasonable prices would be appreciated.

[@MrPanos2000]

Most Austrian 19th century sabers had fully symmetrical guards. Imagine baskets simillar to this but symmetrical on both sides. Look up auctions and antique ventors for them, not very expensive at all in the continent, dont know about British market

[@roo1975]

Great video Matt, I served in the Royal Engineers so this is very interesting for me. Would the Royal Engineers be responsible for issuing these or would it be down to the individual officer to get themselves one? Are there any other Engineer specific swords or weapons?

[@scholagladiatoria]

Officers bought their own swords, uniform, pistols etc. Pioneer sawback swords were used by all sappers, but obviously a lot of sappers were in the RE.

[@roo1975]

scholagladiatoria thanks for that. Really interesting. Love the videos

[@andrewjohnston4127]

Never mind the sword, just brandish a shovel RE at them 😁 ubique

[@davidbranney3924]

The Bengal Engineers were not originally part of the British Army, but part of the "Honourable" East India Company. The East India Company had three engineering regiments, the Bombay engineers, the Madras engineers and the Bengal engineers. After the Mutiny of 1857, it was decided, for security reasons, that all infantry, artillery, pioneers and engineers in India will be part of the British Army. On 1 April 1862 the Bengal, Bombay, Madras Engineers were amalgamated into the Corps of Royal Engineers and officers re-designated RE (records prior to 1862 used Eng.)

[@antivalidisme5669]

Love that kin of video, especially Royal Engineers/ sappers weapons. Only have a Plum 1897 one but it's an incredibly beautiful sword. What about their other bladed weapons by the way. Do they also have specialized axes or other kind of very specific tools? And speaking about the 1850s and the Royal Engineers, what about the Prussian imported 1850 R.E. drivers pattern? Cheers!

[@Ben-fk9ey]

What do you think on Lindybeige's recent video on spear usage? To me a lot of what he says is dubious at best as it goes against historic images.

[@sqike001ton]

Intresting I seen one of these in a collection of a general officer in the Confederate Army I woundered what it was in British service

[@mikesummers-smith4091]

Was it actually possible to get promoted in the RE by mid C19? In Wellington's time, it wasn't; perhaps because it was more profitable to take half-pay than to sell your commission on. Richard Fletcher was 39 before he was even made major; by which age Wellington was already a lieutenant general. Anyone who knows anything about the Peninsula War knows how good Fletcher was: he designed and constructed the Lines of Torres Vedras, in secret; which Masséna took one look at and decided were impregnable.

[@arthurpendragonsyt]

Hmm, is that why many exploring officers and intelligence agents in the Sharpe series are engineers?

[@georgemorley1029]

Arthurian Knight Sappers are often first in, last out. Their motto is “ubique”, meaning “everywhere”. Or alternatively, “all over the place”, if you want to piss one off.

[@arthurpendragonsyt]

@@georgemorley1029 Oh right, a friend who is a veteran spoke highly of them.

[@georgemorley1029]

Arthurian Knight Well I’m in the Royal Navy so any opportunity to take the piss must be taken and they of course return the favour. The sappers I worked with wouldn’t have felt comfortable if I had given them praise!

[@simoneriksson8329]

Wow the Royal Enginers really was the special forces of the 1800s :)

[@jordantheoneandonly3880]

no one: Royal engineers: DESTROY BUILD DESTROY

[@justsomeguy3931]

Another Schola video watched en garde. Sound historical and martial information (to the best of my knowledge), as always. I think maintaining a steel guard is 100% worth it not being cut through so easily, and the rich people should pay to guild the steel to prevent rust if they really care so much about their soldiers. Put the gold to real use, not jewelry... "A pint of sweat saves a gallon of blood."-General Patton You should do a video about the American 1840 and 1860 sabers, as well as the "wristbreaker" 1833. I really liked your review of the Cold Steel USMC NCO saber, it helped a lot with my decision of whether or not those swords are suitable gifts for people of those ranks and branches of service. If it was me, all dress swords would be battle ready - it's a matter of principle! I think they can spare a nuclear-equipped ICBM or two to pay for it lolz

[@temperededge]

What oil do you recommend for preserving swords? Though you frequently touch the metal, they remain in excellent condition!

[@charlesducat6964]

Hi Matt, I’ve got a Pillin Victorian 97P, it would be interesting to hear about the succession and fields of conflict they might have been used in at turn of century? Cheers, Charlie

[@PobortzaPl]

Royal engineer officer might have a company of light foot and few chosen rifleman added to serve as his protection during his mission... ["O'er the hills and far away" by John Tams can be heard in the background]

[@Alucard6921]

So I have one very similar to this, I'd love more information on it. Markings on it "GvR" and the Crown, again very similar ornate engraving in the guard.

[@asa-punkatsouthvinland7145]

Does anyone know when brass is first used for sword guards? Later cavalry sabers definitely can have them...but how far back do brass guards go? I partly ask because I own to rapiers from Windlass that were made in the 90's (one I bought years ago off a friend of mine the other I picked up at a clearance sale) But as far as I've looked online I've never seen a peroid rapier with brass guard. I've seen guards that are gold gilt, and bronze guards on some Medieval & Renaissance swords. But no brass to my knowledge. So as far as I am aware brass seems to be used in the 1700's at earliest, ut I could be wrong. I just have not seen any swords with brass before that time peroid

[@asa-punkatsouthvinland7145]

I had a light go off after typing that & may have found the answer. It dawned on me I should look up when brass was first invented & it might give a clue. It turns out brass was first invented around 500 BC, however this isn't the most important date in the equation. Before the 18th century, zinc metal could not be made since it melts at 420ºC and boils at about 950ºC, below the temperature needed to reduce zinc oxide with charcoal. In the absence of native zinc it was necessary to make brass by mixing ground smithsonite ore (calamine) with copper and heating the mixture in a crucible. The heat was sufficient to reduce the ore to metallic state but not melt the copper. The vapor from the zinc permeated the copper to form brass, which could then be melted to give a uniform alloy. As a result of the difficulties in making early brass it was rare and only in the last millennium has brass been appreciated as an engineering alloy. But it was in the 18th century when a process for easily extracting zinc was invented. So it logically seems my assumption was correct & brass as a hilt material begins in the 1700's.

[@jeffreyroot7346]

Midis of Lydia ( the one in the Golden Touch fairy tale) was thought to be fabulously wealthy because his nations artisans had invented brass. Many thought it was gold.

[@MrPanos2000]

@@asa-punkatsouthvinland7145 A lot of European swords in the middle ages have bronze guards and pommels. Brass not so much

[@dutchmcoven7292]

G'day mate. Wondering if you keep your swords in humidity controlled environment or just keep them oiled and regularly check them. Great video.

[@wierdalien1]

Humidity controlled? In south England?! 🤨

[@JohnnyWishbone85]

It's interesting that you talk about how the Royal Engineers were an elite because they were expected to be on the clever side. I say this because there was a very long-standing tradition in America that the top-performing students at the US Military Academy tended to select the Army Corps of Engineers for their first service posts.

[@rhysfitter1561]

What type of oil do you recommend using ... lightly oiled?

[@Leonard89008]

Try out Ballistol. It's the best weapon oil on the market imo...

[@scholagladiatoria]

Ballistol is the best, though WD40 works fine.

[@rhysfitter1561]

Thanks, what about etched blades? I don’t ever want to put anything on scared will destroy the two two effect and darkening?

[@MrPanos2000]

@@rhysfitter1561 with etching just be very careful and dont use something abrassive! An oiled cloth rag with very gentle movement may be enough. For more expert opinions, look up collector groups in places like facebook

[@slick_slicers]

Matt I have an unnumbered Wilkinson Royal Navy sword, does this man it’s pre 1854?

[@scholagladiatoria]

Probably yes, with the exception of a few late period Wilkinsons that were sold to outfitters and not numbered.

[@carloparisi9945]

I didn't know Beaumont was a Royal engineer. I'm wondering: is there any specific story explaining why he added the single action to the double action, creating the mixed action?

[@edi9892]

My first thought about asymmetric guards was that you need to carry them all day and a symmetric guard would be a pain in the ar5e if it´s anything more protective than a crossguard...

[@aggroalex5470]

+1 for hand protection. Even in the training shoot houses I get my fingernails cracked or worse from sim rounds hitting my hands.

[@LordofTheLords5]

If i have have a historical sword that i have not been able to identify yet, is there contact information available to inquire at?

[@andyperris7399]

oldswords.com

[@MrPanos2000]

try your luck in the various collector groups in facebook. We try to help people like you as much as our knowledge allows

[@markcarico546]

Great video as always. Seeing all the different patterns of swords and how they compare is always interesting. I'd be interested to hear your opinion on whether or not when studying hema the advantages or disadvantages of using specific training weapons? Meaning that if I am studying Hutton should I be trying to get something like a Hutton Italian dueling saber, a gymnasium saber like most others were using, or something as close as I can to the 1853? Same stands for Fiore for example would it be better to use a feder or a blunt? Obviously when going to someone else's tournament you have to play by their rules but in general practice which would be better? I understand it comes down to context but what context would fit which style of training device?

[@99IronDuke]

Other famous British Army Royal Engineer officers include Maj.Gen Charles Gordon, aka Gordon of Khartoum in the Sudan and Field Marshal Herbert Kitchener. Check out the film Khartourm (1966) that is not bad, although Charlton Heston was much taller than the real 'Charlie' Gordon.

[@erikgranqvist3680]

To get thru a brass guard, you would need to strike a mighty blow. As in a strike from someone who goes all in, not having much of a chance to reposition any time soon. I do not think that brass guard was a problem in the protection area.

[@crazyt1ger08]

What type of oil do you use on your swords?

[@messylaura]

what happened to the rest of the cutting challenges?

[@Varan8]

Very cool sword

[@robertjrenard]

Matt, with all the issues regarding guards you've spoken of, could soldiers not simply have worn a lightweight vambrace and back-of hand gauntlet? You say hand injuries were very common, surely even a minimal gauntlet that protected only the main knuckles and wrist would have been effective at reducing hand injuries from opponents blades....

[@-fazik-3713]

Thanks!

[@ondrasvoboda4512]

If we just raid Matts home, we will have enough weapons for decent revolution...

[@Raven-qj8xk]

Viva la revolucion!

[@dukefanshawe6815]

Why does it have a star of David on the blade?

[@kieranmelville5451]

Sorry, I can't quite tell but is it single edged or double edged?

[@wendigo1619]

What pattern blade does the 1857 have? I don't think thats an cavalry 1845 blade

[@scholagladiatoria]

It is the 1845 pattern blade, just the same as all British officer's swords after 1845 and until the 1890s.

[@wendigo1619]

@@scholagladiatoria didn't get a good look at it at the time it was early in the video

[@malik5549]

How to buy this

[@BH-rx3ue]

*me, a genius* Steel hilt and then brass plate it for the sexy look

[@MrPanos2000]

Gold gilding *, brass plating would make it weird and too yellow lol

[@vedymin1]

Hmm...if symmetrical guards were desired, then why so much more assymetrical ones were made ? :)

[@scholagladiatoria]

Because asymmetrical ones are more comfortable to wear and it results in a slightly lighter sword overall.

[@andreweden9405]

15:10, good to know that ridiculous turn-around times on sword orders aren't exclusive to the modern day! What did you do if war broke out and your unit was mobilized, but your Wilkinson was still 6 months from completion? I suppose there were still (subjectively) inferior, or used swords, readily available to anyone in such a pinch, no?

[@scholagladiatoria]

All officers would be expected to arrive upon commission with their full uniform and sword, so you'd have a sword already. If you lost or broke your sword (which does get mentioned in accounts) then you'd either buy one from a local outfitter if possible, or just get whatever sword you could. In India there are records of officers having to use tulwars, cavalry swords and all sorts, when they couldn't obtain the regimentally correct sword. Some regimental armourers may have kept a loaner sword or two in the store and there were also auctions of second-hand equipment when an officer died.

[@andreweden9405]

Thank you for the reply, Matt. Only right after posting that did I consider that there were probably numerous cutlerer's shops in places like London, Birmingham, Manchester, Sheffield, etc., where one could purchase a ready-made sword. And, as I just learned from you, swords could apparently be rented as well. That doesn't surprise me about British troops/officers using talwars in India. I'm sure many a soldier purchased a tulwar as a last resort, only to find that they preferred it over whatever sword would've been the uniform standard!

[@София-с8р8ц]

Hola scholagladiatoria!

[@edi9892]

Why did they fear hand injuries that much, but did not protect their heads and torsos, aka their vitals? Similarly, if I were a cop dealing with melee weapons, I´d want forearm protection. However, I´ve never seen it besides full riot gear...

[@markfergerson2145]

Because they used the sword to protect everything else, and just as soldiers are the ones likely to be injured or killed in wars because they are there, your sword hand is usually the most forward part of you exposed to the enemy's sword.

[@edi9892]

@@markfergerson2145 This makes me think of something I´ve noticed: In Germany, there have been a lot of mass brawls of minorities and many of them were armed, at times with anything ranging from a knife to a full-sized sword! I found it always surprising how few people got seriously injured, or even killed in these fights. I assume that it´s because both sides are armed and neither wants to overcommit.

[@markfergerson2145]

@@edi9892 Knife fighting is *hard*. If you fight someone who has a knife (or sword) you're pretty much guaranteed to get cut even if you're using one too, no matter how skilled you are. Crime statistics show that those killed with sharp implements aren't killed in knife fights, they're "surprise stabbed", so what you're seeing is mostly testosterone-driven extreme foolishness by those very likely no good at ordinary fisticuffs or other barehanded martial arts.

[@MrPanos2000]

@@edi9892 Knives are extremely lethal, its just that brawl fights, especially those involving young people in gangs, are more akin to monkeys doing noise than to serious commited action as you said. There is a video of people in India breaking out in a riot here on youtube. The two groups are armed with various swords and knives yet if you see, they just wave them around and nobody really does anything. Watch the video to get an idea, its called "Indian temple sword fight" or something simillar

[@edi9892]

@@MrPanos2000 That´s surprisingly similar to what I´ve seen. At my place, they might still look oriental, but they don´t wear Turban and they don´t have fancy swords, but rather whatever dangerous implement they can steal... They really ruin the reputation of their nationalities, and our country...

[@sky4eyes]

haven't see a foodguard sword

[@sky4eyes]

i mean foot guard

[@VeerSingh-nl9ls]

And also this kind of hand protection for was made during the period BAPA RAWAL the king of mewar ( chittod)

[@gordoncgregory]

If the Sind army wanted maximum hand protection, why didn’t they use basket hilts?

[@book3100]

I was an engineer. Sure would like one of those. But I'm American and enlisted. But still...

[@markfergerson2145]

For a moment I thought it was gilded steel when I saw the thumbnail.

[@ElDrHouse2010]

ROYAL ENGINEERS

[@LiqnLag]

I can just imagine the acrimonious accusations leveled at the infantry getting a better sidearm, what with their pompous hats too!. =)

[@senatuspopulusqueromanus3011]

TBH I like the 1845 better... It’s a lot more elegant in my opinion.

[@ftdefiance1]

No doubt the thumbs down are from Infantry Officer's!

[@VeerSingh-nl9ls]

This kind of hand protection for swords were first made in Great India during the period chatrapati SHIVAJI MAHARAJ f

[@mosab643]

7:55 You can admire them (maybe, in a certain way) but you don't have to get all giddy when you do so. They were still colonizers.

[@CAP198462]

On the other hand, if it’s brass it had better be polished.

[@Raptor14v]

major hogan is merely an engineer sir

[@Rustygulley-r3r]

In comparison, the US Army Corps of Engineers aren’t actually in the Army.

[@larrybedouin2921]

Yea, ye took up the tabernacle of Moloch, and the star of your god Remphan...

[@rob7566]

Make fast the dingy pontoon

[@VeerSingh-nl9ls]

Your royal engineers had done copied of us

[@VeerSingh-nl9ls]

Reply me