Napoleonic Swords

The Napoleonic era (1799–1815) saw the widespread use of swords across European armies, with designs tailored to the needs of cavalry, infantry, and naval forces. Cavalry wielded heavy straight swords for powerful thrusts or light curved sabres for swift cuts, such as the British 1796 Light Cavalry Sabre and the French AN XI Heavy Cavalry Sword. Infantry officers carried elegant but functional swords, like the British 1796 Infantry Officer’s Sword, while naval cutlasses were short and robust for close combat. These weapons played a crucial role in the era’s dramatic battles, from Austerlitz to Waterloo, and remain iconic symbols of Napoleonic warfare today.