British Royal Artillery Gunner’s Sword – Universal Swords
In stock
Price range: $139.99 through $179.99
- Shipping estimated at checkout
- Every blade inspected before shipping
- Class
- Battle Ready
- Blade
- 1060-1065 High Carbon Steel
- Overall Length
- 30 7/8''
- Weight
- 2 lbs 7.9 oz
- Brand
- Universal Swords
- Culture
- British
Overview
British Royal Artillery Gunner's Sword - Universal Swords
This replica of the British Royal Artillery Gunners Sword has a blade forged from 1055 high carbon steel; replicated at the base of the spine is the manufacturers markings as seen on an original example (DAWES BIRMM - William and Samuel Dawes of Birmingham). The hilt is crafted from brass and the wooden grip is bound in black leather. The sword is paired with a leather scabbard complete with a brass chape and locket.
This British Royal Artillery Sword was the sidearm of British Artillery crews in the early 1800s and these swords saw action in the Peninsular War, Waterloo and the War of 1812. Unique for its wide and straight-bladed design, the sword was likely inspired by the French Imperial Guard Infantry Sword. The United States would borrow heavily from the design of this British sword when creating the their own US Light Artillerymans Saber during the War of 1812 which essentially was a marginally modified hilt design coupled with a curved saber blade.
Specifications
Every measurement that matters
- Brand
- Universal Swords
- Culture
- British
- Pommel
- Nut
- Overall Length
- 30 7/8''
- Blade Length
- 25 3/16''
- Blade
- 1060-1065 High Carbon Steel
- Weight
- 2 lbs 7.9 oz
- Edge
- Unsharpened
- P.O.B.
- 5 1/2''
- Thickness
- 5.2 mm - 4.1 mm
- Width
- 34.6 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
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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
I’ve had this sword for a while by now, at least a few years, and it’s been through it’s tribulations. In the age of incredible steels, it takes longer for a user such as myself to understand the proper sharpening technique for a sword like this. But now, I have a sword that sharpens up in a few minutes, cuts perfectly well, and feels great. It’s beefy, feels like equipment, and has a lot of power. The edge retention is probably very accurate, based on hardness descriptions, and if you take the time to put a proper bevel down the length of the blade, and then hone with a file, you might not delicately slice paper, but any target with enough mass to stay put for a moment will cut every time. Surely a few minutes of sharpening every once in a while is an appropriate study of historical swordsmanship.
I went from feeling the sword would be ok but not great, to feeling that not only is it an excellent sword, but a perfectly modern weapon.
I’m mixed about this sword but the things I don’t like about it are entirely my fault (inexperience with swords stats). I wanted a shortsword with a D-guard that was light and snappy and this thing is quite the opposite!
Pros: Durability – Everything about this is robust and overbuilt. I would trust this sword to be at my side in WAR (which was the purpose of it)
Cutting power – I paid extra for the sharpening service and it is arguably my best cutter! The blade is like a steel bar and has almost no flex. With it’s weight and the sharpness of the blade, it feels like Cloud’s Buster Sword. Love it!
Price – For how well built and sturdy this sword it, the price is a steal!
Cons:
Point of balance – this is my biggest complaint, which again, is my fault and not the blade. This thing is a chopper, though it is great at thrusting too. It’s super unwieldly!
Comfort – The metal backstrap on the handle is smooth, but it noticeably digs into your hand and is extremely uncomfortable. I ended up wrapping it with black and gold baseball bat tape that matches it’s colors and it is soooo much better! I can use it barehanded now and it’s not bad at all.
Scabbard – It’s leather with metal caps, so it flexes easily. The biggest issue is getting the sword back in it. You have to line it up just right or it cuts the inside and gets little flakes everywhere. Not the end of the world, but annoying.
For what it’s supposed to be, its amazing! If I needed a sword and drew this, I would feel pretty good! It’s not what I wanted and is my least favorite sword in my collection (4 total) but it’s fantastic quality for the price and does it’s job well.