Heads up gentlemen, these are bullets, not turds. – Colonel Louis Lepic emboldening the Grenadiers Cheval as they form for a charge whilst under fire at Eylau, 1807.
The above quote characterizes the cavalier dash of Napoleons Heavy Cavalry. His heavy cavalry were his great tactical strike – to be used when the opportunity presented itself at any point in battle. The more numerous lighter cavalry were used for scouting, screens and pursuing fleeing enemies, but the heavy cavalry, such as the Cuirassiers, Carabiniers and the Grenadiers Cheval were held in reserve, ready to charge home in a tightly packed mass of men, muscled horses and flashing swords intended to break infantry asunder or counter other cavalry.
The most famous of these regiments was the Grenadiers Cheval de la Garde Impiale (Horse Grenadiers of the Imperial Guard). These men were the mounted Old Guard cavalry of the Imperial Guard – Napoleons foremost elite soldiers and his tactical bulwark to be deployed at a choice moment in critical battles. Though rarely committed to action, these cherished, hand-picked horsemen could deliver devastation when deployed – Austerlitz, Eylau and Hanau were witness to this.
The Imperial Guard Horse Grenadiers used this type of heavy cavalry sword. With a long, straight blade, the swords of this type were typically used in a lance-like fashion during a charge with predictably fatal effects when all the kinetic energy of rider and horse slew the opponent on blade tip. After the charge, the broad blade with its thick-spine and overall heft is documented as being used with terrific chopping force by skilled users.
This Napoleonic Heavy Cavalry Sword is crafted from unsharpened, tempered high carbon steel. The hilt is of brass and the grip is leather with inlaid brass wire. The blade bears the reproduced signature of Klingenthal – the state-run sword manufactory of the French Empire. It comes with a wood core scabbard covered in black leather surmounted by an extensive brass shell with hanging rings.
Dave K. –
Way too thuddy! Since officers are gentleman assumed to be trained in the finer points of swordmanship and they buy their own swords. they weight and balance is more refined than those of the enlisted swords. In this case Universal has reused they very mediocre 3.2 lb blade on their officers sword. Disaster. This model screams for a redisign. ( The scabbard is a perfect match for my 1789 Danish Cuirrasier back sword, which was purchased without a scabbard. So all is not lost.)