The spadroon is a light, straight, cut-and-thrust sword carried widely by army and naval officers from the late 17th to early 19th centuries. In British service it crystallised in the 1786 regulation and the Pattern 1796 infantry officer’s sword, then lingered in use until replaced by the 1822 Gothic-hilted pattern. Its defining traits are a relatively narrow, often single-edged blade with a fuller, quick point control, and hilts ranging from simple stirrup guards to twin-shell guards with urn pommels.
Core specification
| Attribute | Typical spadroon spec |
|---|---|
| Era | c. 1680 to early 1800s; British regulation 1786, Pattern 1796 through 1822 |
| Blade | Straight, usually single-edged with single fuller; 30 to 33 in typical; some double-edged examples |
| Hilt | Stirrup or five-ball naval variants; twin-shell guard with urn pommel on 1796 pattern; many hinged inner guards |
| Weight and handling | Light officer’s sidearm optimised for both cut and thrust |
| Issue and users | Army and naval officers and NCOs; later U.S. adoption in the Model 1840 NCO sword |
| Materials and finish | Brass or gilt brass hilts, sometimes silver-hilted; blades often blued and gilt |
| Successor | 1822 Gothic-hilted infantry officer’s sword |
History and evolution
From late 17th-century light broadswords and smallswords, officers adopted a handier cut-and-thrust sidearm. British practice moved toward common officer’s forms through the 18th century, then formalised the “1786 regulation” which set dimensions but not a sealed hilt pattern. The fully regulated Pattern 1796 followed with a gilt brass twin-shell hilt and urn pommel, carried throughout the Napoleonic Wars. Some officers criticised its slight blade and modest protection, but it endured and influenced U.S. NCO swords in the early 19th century.
Timeline highlights
| Date | Development |
|---|---|
| c. 1680–1720 | Light officer’s swords with cut-and-thrust utility appear |
| 1786 | British regulation outlines blade dimensions classed as spadroons |
| 1796 | Pattern 1796 infantry officer’s sword with twin-shell guard and urn pommel |
| 1815 | Waterloo-carried spadroons recorded in collections |
| 1822 | Replaced by Gothic-hilted infantry officer’s sword |
| 1840 | U.S. Model 1840 NCO sword continues the spadroon form |
Advantages and disadvantages
Strengths
- Quick and agile point control
- Light to wear daily and suited for ceremonial presence
- Standardised forms make collecting straightforward
Limitations
- Limited hand protection compared with sabres or basket hilts
- Considered by some officers too slight for serious combat
Comparison with similar weapons
| Feature | Spadroon | Smallsword | Sabre (Infantry 1803, later 1822) | Basket-hilt broadsword |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blade | Straight, light, cut-and-thrust | Very light, thrust-only | Curved or slightly curved, cut-biased | Straight, broader, heavier |
| Guard | Stirrup or twin-shell, modest coverage | Small shell guard | Stirrup or Gothic bars, better protection | Full basket, maximum protection |
| Users | Army and naval officers, NCOs | Civilian and court, some officers | Flank companies and general officers | Highland regiments, cavalry |
| Handling | Fast point, moderate cut | Fastest point, poor cut | Strong cut, solid defence | Heavy but powerful |
Legacy
The spadroon stands between the smallsword and the heavier sabre. The British 1796 version became an icon of Napoleonic officer kit, while American adoption shaped the straight-bladed NCO swords of the 19th century. It remains studied in historical fencing circles through Georgian and Regency manuals such as Charles Roworth’s.
Where to see one
- Royal Armouries, UK: multiple spadroons including Irish-made officer examples
- National Army Museum, London: Pattern 1796 infantry officer’s sword carried at Waterloo
Collectors’ guide
Recognising types
- 1786 regulation blades paired with varied hilts, including naval five-ball styles
- 1796 infantry officer’s sword with brass twin-shell guard and urn pommel, often blue-and-gilt decoration
- U.S. Model 1840 NCO and related officer swords as later descendants
Price ranges
| Type | Realised prices and estimates | Typical range |
|---|---|---|
| British 1796 infantry officer’s spadroon | Around £580 for honest service examples | £500 to £900 |
| Naval five-ball hilt spadroon | About £720 | £600 to £1,000 |
| Silver-hilted spadroons | $1,386 to $1,599 plus premium | £1,100 to £2,000+ |
| U.S. Model 1840 NCO sword | $325 | $250 to $600 |
| High-grade 1796 with decoration or provenance | Often £800 to £1,000+, better pieces exceeding that | £900 to £1,800+ |
Buyer’s premiums generally add 20 to 28 percent to hammer prices.
Value drivers
- Strong surviving blue-and-gilt decoration
- Silver hilts, naval variants, or named service provenance
- Original scabbards and sword knots
Red flags
- Replaced shells, modern grip rewiring, or over-cleaned blades
- Mixed parts on regulation types
Care and display
- Keep in a stable, dry environment
- Avoid aggressive polishing on blue-and-gilt finishes
- Use microcrystalline wax sparingly on plain steel and brass
- Support both blade and hilt in mounts to reduce stress
Arms and armour context
Documented examples include:
- Late 18th-century officer’s spadroon by Read of Dublin in the Royal Armouries
- Early 17th-century straight single-edged blade with spadroon form showing the longer evolution
The Seven Swords Takeaway
The spadroon was the Georgian officer’s everyday sword. It balanced civilian smallsword style with battlefield utility, though it never matched the sabre or broadsword in combat strength. Its 1786 regulation and 1796 pattern define its form, while American adoption carried the style forward. Today it occupies a respected place in museums, auction catalogues, and fencing reconstructions.
