The Naval Sword

The Navy is the only branch of India’s Armed Forces that continues to have a sword as part of an officer’s uniform. Although Army officers do wear swords on parades, it is rare to see an army officer wearing a sword off the parade ground. Since the Indian Navy is closely linked to the British Royal Navy (RN) insofar as uniforms and ceremonial are concerned, one would have to delve into the RN’s history to understand the evolution of the Naval Sword. Indeed, even the US Navy uses swords that are a minor variation of the RN model.

Origins

Swords began their time on board ships since the invention of the weapon. Naturally the higher in status a mariner was, the better weapon he would be expected to possess. In particular, the “mark of a gentleman” for many hundreds of years in British society was the sword, probably dating from the days of knightly vows where the knight’s sword was his most prized and revered weapon. 

It was the sword that made him a knight, after all, in the ceremony in which he was “dubbed” by tapping him on both shoulders with the naked blade. His honour, therefore was attached to the sword.

Officers were first granted a uniform in 1748, however no regulations regarding the wearing of swords was detailed.   At this time officers wore their swords from a shoulder belt, something which can be seen in many portraits of officers of the time.

A regulation sword was introduced in 1805 at which time ordered that the sword would be hung from a cavalry-type waist belt, which had two slings of different length, so that the sword trailed on the ground.  It was an elegant if impractical design. It is perhaps relevant to note that at this time appearance was more important that serviceability in uniforms.  A regulation of 1825 stated that sword belts in dress uniform were to be of silk, but that a black leather belt could be worn in undress uniform.

In 1827 a new pattern of sword was introduced and again the regulations for wear were amended, this time by reverting to a shoulder belt, worn under the waistcoat.   Silk sword belts were restricted to wear in the drawing room only.   A black leather belt with a frog to hold the sword was introduced for wear with great coats in 1829.

The regulations were amended again in 1832 with the sword to be worn on a waist belt, suspended from slings of unequal length again.   This was further changed in 1847 when the slings were to be of equal length. This process went on and it was only in 1929 that the present straight, single edged sword with slings of unequal length was finally adopted.

Notwithstanding the evolution, it is remarkable that the sword has survived the upheavals of the twentieth century. The sheathed officer's sword, however, owes its survival to a different reason. As the gentleman's weapon of the 16th 17th, and 18th centuries, it was only natural that it should be incorporated into the naval officer's uniform. The wearing of the sword thus distinguished the well-born "gentleman" from the lower classes, and the naval officer was able to wear a sword as a "gentleman."

Even today, at the commencement of a court martial, an officer’s sword is taken from the accused, and at the end of the trial it signifies whether the officer is guilty or not, by being presented on a table when the person is brought back into court after the presiding board’s deliberations. If found not guilty, the sword hilt is towards the officer, signifying that one’s honour and duty can be taken up again. If guilty, the point is presented. In that case he does not carry the sword when he leaves.

If the officer is acquitted, the sword is returned to him ie his “honour is restored”.

Construction

The naval sword has a blade length of 31” and width at the hilt of 7/8”. The sword has a gold plated brass hilt and hand-guard, with a pommel in the shape of a lion. The grip is white, with fish skin being used in the original versions along with gold wire to secure the grip. The unique feature of the naval sword is the small hinged lip of the guard which can be folded down to engage with a pin on the scabbard. This feature proved most useful to prevent the scabbard falling off when climbing over a shipside, or in stormy weather, and hence preventing embarassment to the wearer!

The material chosen for the blade was high carbon steel, which had greater tensile strength than stainless steel, meaning there were lesser chances of the blade chipping or breaking during engagements. The material currently being used is AISI 1055.

Scabbard - The scabbard was made of rawhide with gold plated brass mounts. Swords used by Flag Officers were similar, but were more ornate with engraving on the brass mounts of the scabbard.

The Naval Knot – The “Knot” was in fact originally a loop of leather or other material secured to the sword hilt. Before an engagement, the swordsman wrapped the loop around his wrist to prevent loss of his weapon, should he need to relax his grip or if the sword were struck from his grasp. From these basic origins, the sword knot has evolved into its present ceremonial and ornamental form.

Swords For Warrant Officers – In 1832, a new pattern with black grips was introduced for Master-At-Arms and Warrant Officers. The other difference was that these ranks “wore” their swords, while officers “carried” their swords.

Carrying of Swords

There was a story circulated at some stage in the early part of the 20^th century, relating to the reason why Naval Officers carried their swords as opposed to Army officers who wore their swords on their belts at their waists. The story was that following some disgrace within the RN, perhaps a mutiny, an order was once given that naval officers could not wear their swords, as they were not gentlemen. Instead, they would have to carry them. It was also rumoured that the order had come from Queen Victoria herself. Eventually, it was firmly stamped as nothing more than a fairy tale and a rumour.

In any case, even the most doubting skeptic would agree that the Monarch could scarcely be expected to do something that would affect the morale of the Navy.

In the 18^th century, military uniforms were at the height of fashion with splendidly dressed cavalry officers among whom the Light Horse were considered the most dashing. To draw attention to themselves while on foot, troopers and officers alike let their spurs jangle and their steel-shod scabbards rattle over the cobblestones. 

This is the origin of the phrase “sabre rattling”, which denotes a swaggering, bullying attitude.

Everyone wore trailing swords, which had to be carried. So it is the case, perhaps, that all military personnel once wore their swords in a hanging fashion, with the slings as long as possible, so as to draw attention to the wearer. 

The army personnel of the world have now lifted their swords to their belts, as no doubt soldiers often had to do for practicality’s sake, with their practice of drill, but the navy still carries theirs, perhaps because they rarely wore swords, and therefore never saw a need to change.

Besides, having a “detached” sword makes it a lot easier to carry while being transported in a small boat.