Pattern 1853 Cavalry Trooper's Sword

Introduced as the first universal pattern cavalry sword for both light and heavy cavalry, this sword came in for heavy criticism during the Crimean War (1854-1856), much of it ill-informed. Regiments often carried out unofficial bending tests on the blades, which severely weakened them.

It is possible that up to 50 per cent of the cavalry who fought in the Crimea carried the new sword while the others had to use the Pattern 1821. At Balaklava it is known that some troopers at least of the 11th (Prince Albert's Own) Hussars and 2nd (Royal North British) Dragoons were armed with the new sword.