cptbob
Well-known member
The standard light cavalry saber in use during the 1848 Danish war was the 1811 Blucher saber. During clashes with Danish cavalry, Prussian trooper's wielding these sabers discovered themselves at a disadvantage against Danish cavalry whose sabers had better handguards. Many suffered nasty hand wounds as a result. There was much complaining amongst the light cavalry following that which prompted the Prussian Army to begin designing a saber with a basket hilt for hand protection. The first attempt at this was introduced in 1849 and issued to the Leib Garde Hussar Regiment on a trial basis. (Thus the name amongst collectors as the Guard Hussar Saber). Apparently, it didn't make the cut because the 1852 cavalry saber would become the standard saber of the Prussian Light Cavalry. The Leib Guard would carry these until around 1857 at which time they were sold to the Belgians (the L8 acceptance stamp is from Liege) and eventually the English where they would be used as Engineer swords.
