The Pattern 1908 cavalry trooper's sword (and the 1912 Pattern, the equivalent for officers) was the last service sword issued to the cavalry of the British Army. It has been called[3][4] the most effective cavalry sword ever designed, although its introduction occurred as swords finally became obsolete as military weapons. In use, it, like other thrust-based cavalry swords, is best described as a one-handed lance, due to its complete lack of utility for anything but the charge. In fact, the closely related US Model 1913 Cavalry Saber was issued with only a saddle scabbard, as it was not considered to be of much use to a dismounted cavalryman. Colonial troops, who could expect to engage in melee combat with opposing cavalry frequently carried cut and thrust swords either instead of, or in addition to, the P1908/1912.
In military circles, there had long been the debate over whether the use of the point or the edge was the better method of attack for a cavalryman. In the Napoleonic period, British cavalry doctrine as shaped by John Gaspard Le Marchant favoured the cut, resulting in the dramatically curved Pattern 1796 light cavalry sabre. With the introduction of the 1822 patterns, the British Army adopted a series of "cut and thrust" swords with slightly curved blades that were stiff enough for a thrust. The 1822 swords and their descendants were inevitably compromises, but the Army considered the adaptability to be of more importance.[citation needed] By contrast, the 1908 pattern was designed from the outset purely to give point (thrust) from horseback.
The sword has lived on as the ceremonial sword for the British, Canadian, and Australian cavalry units.
^Imperial War Museum, "Sword, Cavalry, Trooper, Pattern 1908, Mark I", iwm.org.uk, retrieved 9 February 2019.
^Robson, Brian (1996) [1975]. Swords of the British Army, The Regulation Patterns 1788 to 1914 (Revised ed.). Chelsea: National Army Museum. ISBN 0-901721-33-6.
^Wilkinson Latham, John (1966). British Military Swords from 1800 to the Present Day. Hutchinson & Co. ISBN 0-09-081201-8.
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