It will be useless for me to say anything about the length and shape of
swords, as in the British, and, I believe, every other service, an
officer, whether he belong to the army, the navy, or the reserve forces,
is compelled to wear the regulation sword of the corps he belongs to.
He can, however, purchase it where he likes, and has a certain amount of
discretion in small matters, which, if carefully attended to, may make a
most important difference in the utility of his weapon. “Mony a mickle
mak’ a muckle.”
I would advise him by all means to get it from a good sword cutler, and
see the blade properly proved—a very necessary precaution, as no bad
blade will stand so severe a test.
He may then be sure that there is no flaw in it or in the tang (the part
that passes through the grip).
A flaw in either may cost you your life.
The blade should be stiff and not whippy, as a whippy blade meets with
so much resistance from the air when cutting or guarding quickly, and
the point should be light, so that the sword will feel well balanced in
the hand.
A whippy blade with a heavy point wrenches the wrist and elbow joints,
and is extremely difficult to use. It altogether mars the proper use of
the weapon.
The grip should suit your hand, and the steel back should be roughened
to prevent the sword from turning in it.
On service, the grip, if not too thick, may be lapped with thin string
slightly waxed; by this means it may be altered to any shape you like,
and you will be able to hold the sword more securely.
The sword should be tightly mounted, that is, the grip should not be
loose, the blade well shouldered up both back and front, so that there
is no space between the shoulder and the hilt, and the end of the tang
securely screwed and rivetted at the pommel.
To test the mounting, strike both the back and edge of the blade several
times sharply against a post. If the grip then remains firm and tight
and the blade rings, it is a proof that the mounting is fairly good.
Should it, after being used some time, become loose, have it put right
at once.
You cannot give an effective cut with a loosemounted sword. It stings
your hand, and spoils the general handling of the weapon.