Princess of Wales Regiment Officer’s Light Dragoon Saber – Universal Swords
In stock
$259.99
- Shipping estimated at checkout
- Every blade inspected before shipping
- 30-day returns
- Class
- Battle Ready
- Blade
- 1060-1065 High Carbon Steel
- Overall Length
- 39 5/8''
- Weight
- 2 lb 3.4 oz
- Brand
- Universal Swords
- Culture
- British
- Era
- 19th Century
Overview
Princess of Wales Regiment Officer's Light Dragoon Saber - Universal Swords
This British Light Dragoon Saber is a reproduction of the swords wielded by the Princess of Wales 30th Light Dragoon Regiment from 1794-1796. A very similar sword was carried by the 10th Prince of Wales LDR. These knuckle-bow swords were commonly issued to the British Light Cavalry. The origin of this design is not known - it seems French in style but an Austrian Hussar regiment had of a similar, early design.
Before 1914 officers swords in the British Army were not officially issued - they purchased their own blades privately. Prior to that in 1788, they were required to have swords uniform with the regiment. Though required to have similar swords with their men, the officers distinguished their blades with decor and etching over the more plan trooper sabers, such as the reproduction offered here. The Guard of the blade displays OR Princess of Waless Light Dragoons XXX the reverse side bears the cypher of the Princess of Wales with the motto Ich Dien - meaning I serve.
The blade of this saber is crafted from unsharpened, tempered high carbon steel. The guard and pommel are of steel and the wooden grip sandwiched over the tang is of wood with a cross-hatch etched grip. The scabbard is of black leather over wood that is covered by an extensive steel sleeve. It has two steel hanging rings.
Specifications
Every measurement that matters
- Brand
- Universal Swords
- Culture
- British
- Era
- 19th Century
- Pommel
- Integrated
- Overall Length
- 39 5/8''
- Blade Length
- 33 3/4''
- Blade
- 1060-1065 High Carbon Steel
- Weight
- 2 lb 3.4 oz
- Edge
- Unsharpened
- P.O.B.
- 5 7/8''
- Thickness
- 7 mm - 3.7 mm
- Width
- 27.6 mm
- Grip Length
- 3 7/8''
- Class
- Battle Ready
- Country of Origin
- India
- Type
- Saber
Reviews
What collectors are saying
Q&A
Questions from the community
Q What sword is this reproduction based on? Common Question
A British Light Dragoon officer’s saber associated with the Princess of Wales’s 30th Light Dragoons (1794–1796).
Q How does it handle and where is the balance point? Common Question
It has a forward-weighted feel typical of cavalry sabers; point of balance is about 5 7/8 inches from the guard.
Q Is the blade sharpened from the factory? Common Question
No. The blade comes unsharpened.
Q What materials are used in the blade and fittings? Common Question
Blade is 1060-1065 High Carbon Steel; guard and pommel are steel; grip is wood with a cross-hatched surface.
Q What type of scabbard is included? Common Question
A wood-core scabbard covered in black leather with an extensive steel sleeve and two hanging rings.
Q Is it suitable for cutting practice or reenactment? Common Question
Classed as battle ready by the retailer, but it ships unsharpened; suitability depends on local rules and proper edge preparation.
Q What are the key dimensions? Common Question
Overall length 39 5/8 inches; blade length 33 3/4 inches; width 27.6 mm; thickness tapers from about 7 mm to 3.7 mm; grip length 3 7/8 inches; weight 2 lb 3.4 oz.
Q Where is it manufactured? Common Question
India, by Universal Swords.
Q How should I maintain the blade and scabbard? Common Question
Keep the steel lightly oiled, wipe after handling, and condition the leather scabbard periodically to prevent drying.
Q What markings or decorations are on the hilt? Common Question
The guard plate bears the Princess of Wales cypher with the motto ‘Ich Dien’; another plate is etched ‘OR PRINCESS OF WALES’S LIGHT DRAGOONS XXX’.
The Maker
Universal Swords
With origins going back to 1960, India’s Universal Swords has been making reproduction swords for decades. With an emphasis on military sabers, universal produces a number of designs not found elsewhere. As the official US distributor of Universal Swords, KOA will be expanding to stock their entire line over time.
Often paired together
One of Universal Swords newest and superior productions! This was a officers gift sword given by the future George IV to officers of his regiment. At least three other light dragoon regiments also adopted the style.
Reffered to as a “coffin handle”, this type has a strong line going back to Poland and wide mid 18th Century acceptance in western Europe.
For Universal this is a marvelous repro. It looks great, but the balance is also very good. Get it sharpened and have an excellent conqueror of the dark minions of water bottle land.
outstanding saber very well balanced and nimble saber. I really enjoy working with it and it feels great in the hand. the universal did a wonderful job on this piece, you’ll love it!
I have been wanting this sword ever since i firat saw it in 2016….and i cant say ive ever been this disappointed with a sword before. Not sure what changes Universal Sword has made to this product since the reviews in 2016 were written, but the swords described by other customers and the sword I received are nothing alike.
Let’s start with the scabbard. It has rust spots on it and it was bone dry.
Now the sword.
“Overbuilt” doesn’t even begin to describe this sword. The grip is square in the hand and much too wide to get a comfortable hold and it twists easily. The spine of the blade at the ricasso is damn near 1/4 inch thick and doesn’t have any noticeable distal taper until the foible. I understand that cavalry sabers are supposed to be weighted further from the hand to assist with downward cuts from horseback, but I’ve swung hammers more nimble than this sword. My Ronin Katana Longsword handles better with one hand than this saber does.
Beautiful sword looks very nice, but it is definitely not combat ready. It broke with a simple cut test. I would suspect a lot of the steel coming from India is subpar.