#mameluke

Late Georgian era British Lancers or Dragoon officers dress Mameluke sabre. While they are called 'Mameluke' sabres by collectors, they are in truth a Europeanised interpretation of the shamshir or kilij sabres that the actual Mameluke warriors used. The 'Mameluke' sabre had become fashionable with many British (and French) officers following Napoleon's Egyptian campaign and were carried by many notable officers on both sides of the conflict, including the Duke of Wellington. However, it was only in 1822 that the British army first officially recognised the 'Mameluke' as a regulation pattern for the newly formed lancer regiments. In 1831 with the Pattern sword for General Officers, which remains the current dress sword for Generals in the British and many Commonwealth Armies to this day. Mameluke sabres can also be found with links to other light cavalry and some heavy cavalry regiments, plus they were carried as bandsman's swords.

Just when I promised myself never to import another sword with ivory, what do I go and do?

I buy another mameluke sabre….

This is a late Georgian era Full Dress mameluke sabre marked to the 12th Lancers. While there had been a well-established tradition of carrying mameluke sabres amongst officers of the British army that goes back to the Egyptian campaigns of 1798 – 1801. It wasn’t until 25th April 1822 that they were officially sanctioned in the Dress Regulations for the 9th, 12th and 16th Lancers.

The regulations were all prescribed a 'mameluke-hilted' sword with a plain metal scabbard for dress wear and a velvet-covered scabbard for full dress. I imagine that the difference between Dress and Full Dress would have been determined by who attended the occasion or function.

In 1826 the regulations ordered in Full Dress a ‘mameluke-hilted’ for officers of the Hussars and in 1831 a mameluke inspired pattern was introduced for General and Staff officers. Regardless, officers of may other Light Cavalry and some Heavy Cavalry units continued to carry mameluke sabres into the early 20th Century.

This sabre can be attributed to the 12th (The Prince of Wales) Royal Lancers by the blade decoration which features the regimental title, crowned crossed lances and laurel wreaths. Going by the style of decoration it dates to between 1822 and 1830, with it likely to be at the earlier end of that range. I purchased the sword from Richard Dellar, and it features in his book, The British Cavalry Sword 1788 – 1912; The Companion Volume Plates 12.27 – 12.28 alongside a similar sword from the 9th Lancers.

Overall Length: 878 mm

Blade Length: 737 mm

Curve: 45 mm

Grip Length: 118 mm

Inside Grip Length: 93 mm

Weight: 700 grams

Happy Fathers Day! This was my weekend’s project; another display board. More of a random theme this time round as I fill it with odds and ends that have caught my attention.

Main Author: Paton, A. A. 1811-1874. Language(s):English Published: London, Trübner & co. 1863. Subjects :Egypt > Egypt /History > Egypt / History /640-1882 Physical Description:2v. 22 1/2cm. Source:   Paton, A. A. (Andrew Archibald). (1863). A history of the Egyptian revolution, from the period of the Mamelukes to the death of Mohammed Ali: from Arab and European memoirs, oral tradition, and local research. London: Trübner & co.

Main Author: Muir, William, Sir, 1819-1905. Language(s):English Published:  London, : Smith, Elder, 1896. Subjects: Mamelukes. Egypt > Egypt /History > Egypt / History /640-1882. Note: Includes index. Physical Description :xxxii, 245 p., [11] leaves of plates (2 folded) : ill., col. map ; 23 cm. Muir, William, Sir, 1819-1905. The Mameluke, Or, Slave Dynasty of Egypt. London,: Smith, Elder, 1896. 

The present volume contains a survey of the Mameluke dynasty, which, begun under Beibars, a.d. 1260, was brought to a close by the Ottoman Sultan Sellm in 1517 a.d. The work also completes the history of the Abbaside Caliphate down to the assumption of the title by the Osmanly Sultanate. 

Main Author: Muir, William, Sir, 1819-1905. Language(s):English Published:  London, Smith, Elder & co., 1896. Subjects:  Mamelukes Egypt > Egypt /History > Egypt / History /640-1882

Main author is prolific and interesting; check for other works