West Point Cadets' Sword
Encyclopedia
West Point Cadets' Swords are sword
s traditionally worn by cadet
NCOs and Officers of the United States Military Academy
at West Point, New York
. They are issued only to NCOs and Officers for official ceremonies such as parades, formations, and drills. Cadets always carry their swords while on guard duty; others who carry swords include the Officer of the Day
, cadets who are under arms, honor council members at hearings, the color guard
, and the band Drum Major
, and, of course, graduation. In 1955, author Frederick P. Todd noted that "cadet Officer and NCO's at West Point are the only people in the U.S. Army who continue to wear a sword with a sash."
It is important to note that, starting in 1802, the West Point Cadet Store became accountable for all West Point cadet swords. They were made on contract for the Academy to tight specifications. When inventory ran low, the Academy put the same design specifications out for bid up until 2001, when standards were lowered to save money. The Cadet Store today looks to the DOL_LLSO which is now the group accountable for the new design following strong historic references to the past cadet swords. These are ordered for and sold exclusively through the Cadet Store and to the WS4 as their only issue points. Sales are limited to cadets past and present.
In his book, Cadet Gray (p. 40) Fredrick Todd says,
The Board finally recommended a new West Point sword be adopted and issued to cadet officers, and two years later, in May 1839, these new swords arrived. They were straight-bladed with a brass hilt. The guard formed a simple cross—-and this fact has led to the story that they were modeled after the swords carried by the Crusaders. It is more likely that they were modeled after the style of sword carried by the Finance Corps.
Two years later, the Commandant ordered cadet officers always to wear the sash when the sword was worn and specified which sergeants were entitled to this privilege.
Twice since, the design of the cadet sword has been somewhat modified, but it still retains the simple cross design of 1839.
In Col. Todd's words, "the only saber issued to cadets was between 1839 and 1947 and it was a light cavalry sword used for 108 years during mounted drills and tactics.
or VMI, so if it does not have U.S.M.A. on the sword blade, it was not a West Point cadet sword.
The number of issued swords were made in limited production, cadets were issued dress swords, which were not meant to be used as a weapon, and most were returned to the cadet store. Because cadets had no use for this type of sword in the Army, as officers, they carried the 1902 Army saber. Cadets could always buy their own sword and many did. Real ones are rare. Many are replicas. Collectors must verify the maker's name, that U.S.M.A is engraved on the blade, and that there is an MA molded into the center of the brass handguard. The eagle on the pommel on the top of the model 1872 faced forward. This was changed on the model 1922 to face back.
hilt
of gilt
brass, with silver-colored grips. Both are engraved with U.S.M.A. custom-etched on the front side of the double-edged blade
s, and nickel
-plated-steel scabbard
s with gilt-brass mounts. The principal difference between the earlier and the present version is the change to a new ornament on the crossguard
, which now displays an oval emblem bearing the helmet
worn in Greek
mythology
by Athena
, whose helmet design was incorporated into the Academy's heraldic
arms
and insignia
in 1922. The 1872 sword had its MA displayed in the oval.
The sword is made today only by WKC Stahl- und Metallwarenfabrik
in Solingen
, Germany
.
This sword is not allowed to be sold new by anyone other than the cadet store at West Point.
Some retail outlets sell this sword new on the internet, in violation of West Point's policies.
The West Point Book Store has never put in an order for sabers: they have only ordered swords.
Sword
A sword is a bladed weapon used primarily for cutting or thrusting. The precise definition of the term varies with the historical epoch or the geographical region under consideration...
s traditionally worn by cadet
Cadet
A cadet is a trainee to become an officer in the military, often a person who is a junior trainee. The term comes from the term "cadet" for younger sons of a noble family.- Military context :...
NCOs and Officers of the United States Military Academy
United States Military Academy
The United States Military Academy at West Point is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located at West Point, New York. The academy sits on scenic high ground overlooking the Hudson River, north of New York City...
at West Point, New York
West Point, New York
West Point is a federal military reservation established by President of the United States Thomas Jefferson in 1802. It is a census-designated place located in Town of Highlands in Orange County, New York, United States. The population was 7,138 at the 2000 census...
. They are issued only to NCOs and Officers for official ceremonies such as parades, formations, and drills. Cadets always carry their swords while on guard duty; others who carry swords include the Officer of the Day
Officer of the day
At smaller military installations where no provost marshal has been assigned, the officer of the day is a detail rotated each day among the unit/post's commissioned officers to oversee security, guard, and law enforcement considerations...
, cadets who are under arms, honor council members at hearings, the color guard
Color guard
In the military of the United States and other militaries, the color guard carries the National Color and other flags appropriate to its position in the chain of command. Typically these include a unit flag and a departmental flag...
, and the band Drum Major
Drum Major
A drum major is the leader of a marching band, drum and bugle corps, or pipe band, usually positioned at the head of the band or corps. The drum major, who is often dressed in more ornate clothing than the rest of the band or corps, is responsible for providing commands to the ensemble regarding...
, and, of course, graduation. In 1955, author Frederick P. Todd noted that "cadet Officer and NCO's at West Point are the only people in the U.S. Army who continue to wear a sword with a sash."
1802 to 1839 Model 1802
There are many questions about the first cadet-store-issued swords. There are no known examples, nor are there any photos. Most students of the subject believe that from 1802 to 1839, the sword probably looked like (or was) the French Grenadier Sergeant's model sword used in the Revolutionary army."It is important to note that, starting in 1802, the West Point Cadet Store became accountable for all West Point cadet swords. They were made on contract for the Academy to tight specifications. When inventory ran low, the Academy put the same design specifications out for bid up until 2001, when standards were lowered to save money. The Cadet Store today looks to the DOL_LLSO which is now the group accountable for the new design following strong historic references to the past cadet swords. These are ordered for and sold exclusively through the Cadet Store and to the WS4 as their only issue points. Sales are limited to cadets past and present.
1839 to 1872 Model 1839
Cadet swords made from 1839 to 1872 are very rare. The hilt is made of solid brass and the wire wrap grip is silver plated. Only 200 swords were ordered for West Point and there are only a few known examples of 1839 swords. West Point has two, the Springfield Museum has several more, and there a few in collectors' hands. The Springfield Armory Museum is said to have several prototypes of this sword. Harold L. Peterson points out in his book, The American Sword, that the Springfield Armory ordered the swords in odd lots of 40, 18, and 20. In all, a total of 200 were received. It would be very hard to a find virgin sword that came from the West Point Cadet Store because the bookstore remade this sword over and over again, as broken swords were returned to issue. The bookstore broke it down so the best parts were used to rebuilt the sword from its parts to be reissued again and again. This sword was never sold to cadets. Ames made 40 for VMI. The difference is detectable in the makers' marks. The sword cost $11.00 for the first 100 before the price was cut back to $10.00. Copies of the orders from the Springfield Armory to Ames are shown in his book the order clearly shows that they are ordering swords and not sabers.In his book, Cadet Gray (p. 40) Fredrick Todd says,
"The Board of Visitors of the Military Academy made a study of this matter in 1837, and reported to the Secretary of War that there was "a great want of swords to supply the cadets who, from time to time, act as commissioned and non-commissioned officers of their battalion. The present swords were used during the Revolution, are worn, scarcely capable of use any longer, and entirely unfitted for the purpose. A plan of a sword is understood to be in the War Department."
The Board finally recommended a new West Point sword be adopted and issued to cadet officers, and two years later, in May 1839, these new swords arrived. They were straight-bladed with a brass hilt. The guard formed a simple cross—-and this fact has led to the story that they were modeled after the swords carried by the Crusaders. It is more likely that they were modeled after the style of sword carried by the Finance Corps.
Two years later, the Commandant ordered cadet officers always to wear the sash when the sword was worn and specified which sergeants were entitled to this privilege.
Twice since, the design of the cadet sword has been somewhat modified, but it still retains the simple cross design of 1839.
In Col. Todd's words, "the only saber issued to cadets was between 1839 and 1947 and it was a light cavalry sword used for 108 years during mounted drills and tactics.
1872 to 1922 Model 1872
Swords issued from 1872 to 1922 were made by many makers. This sword had an MA molded into the center of the brass hand guard. It was also engraved with U.S.M.A. on the blade. This is important because so many makers made this style of sword; the engraved sword blade is the only true way to tell that it came from the academy. The Academy has engraved with its initials the blade of every sword made for, issued by, or sold at the Academy, starting with the second sword the Academy specified, the model 1872. This style was used for other military schools, such as the CitadelCitadel
A citadel is a fortress for protecting a town, sometimes incorporating a castle. The term derives from the same Latin root as the word "city", civis, meaning citizen....
or VMI, so if it does not have U.S.M.A. on the sword blade, it was not a West Point cadet sword.
The number of issued swords were made in limited production, cadets were issued dress swords, which were not meant to be used as a weapon, and most were returned to the cadet store. Because cadets had no use for this type of sword in the Army, as officers, they carried the 1902 Army saber. Cadets could always buy their own sword and many did. Real ones are rare. Many are replicas. Collectors must verify the maker's name, that U.S.M.A is engraved on the blade, and that there is an MA molded into the center of the brass handguard. The eagle on the pommel on the top of the model 1872 faced forward. This was changed on the model 1922 to face back.
1923 to present model 1922
The sword used today by cadets, the model 1922, is a slightly modified version of the cadet saber adopted in 1872. Both types have a cruciformCruciform
Cruciform means having the shape of a cross or Christian cross.- Cruciform architectural plan :This is a common description of Christian churches. In Early Christian, Byzantine and other Eastern Orthodox forms of church architecture this is more likely to mean a tetraconch plan, a Greek cross,...
hilt
Hilt
The hilt of a sword is its handle, consisting of a guard,grip and pommel. The guard may contain a crossguard or quillons. A ricasso may also be present, but this is rarely the case...
of gilt
Gold plating
Gold plating is a method of depositing a thin layer of gold onto the surface of another metal, most often copper or silver , by chemical or electrochemical plating...
brass, with silver-colored grips. Both are engraved with U.S.M.A. custom-etched on the front side of the double-edged blade
Blade
A blade is that portion of a tool, weapon, or machine with a cutting edge and/or a pointed tip that is designed to cut and/or puncture, stab, slash, chop, slice, thrust, or scrape animate or inanimate surfaces or materials...
s, and nickel
Nickel
Nickel is a chemical element with the chemical symbol Ni and atomic number 28. It is a silvery-white lustrous metal with a slight golden tinge. Nickel belongs to the transition metals and is hard and ductile...
-plated-steel scabbard
Scabbard
A scabbard is a sheath for holding a sword, knife, or other large blade. Scabbards have been made of many materials over the millennia, including leather, wood, and metals such as brass or steel.-Types of scabbards:...
s with gilt-brass mounts. The principal difference between the earlier and the present version is the change to a new ornament on the crossguard
Crossguard
On a sword or some knives, the crossguard , also known as quillons, is a bar of metal at right angles to the blade, placed between the blade and the hilt. The crossguard stops the wielder from punching shields while swinging the weapon, thereby protecting the user's hand...
, which now displays an oval emblem bearing the helmet
Helmet
A helmet is a form of protective gear worn on the head to protect it from injuries.Ceremonial or symbolic helmets without protective function are sometimes used. The oldest known use of helmets was by Assyrian soldiers in 900BC, who wore thick leather or bronze helmets to protect the head from...
worn in Greek
Greeks
The Greeks, also known as the Hellenes , are a nation and ethnic group native to Greece, Cyprus and neighboring regions. They also form a significant diaspora, with Greek communities established around the world....
mythology
Mythology
The term mythology can refer either to the study of myths, or to a body or collection of myths. As examples, comparative mythology is the study of connections between myths from different cultures, whereas Greek mythology is the body of myths from ancient Greece...
by Athena
Athena
In Greek mythology, Athena, Athenê, or Athene , also referred to as Pallas Athena/Athene , is the goddess of wisdom, courage, inspiration, civilization, warfare, strength, strategy, the arts, crafts, justice, and skill. Minerva, Athena's Roman incarnation, embodies similar attributes. Athena is...
, whose helmet design was incorporated into the Academy's heraldic
Heraldry
Heraldry is the profession, study, or art of creating, granting, and blazoning arms and ruling on questions of rank or protocol, as exercised by an officer of arms. Heraldry comes from Anglo-Norman herald, from the Germanic compound harja-waldaz, "army commander"...
arms
Coat of arms
A coat of arms is a unique heraldic design on a shield or escutcheon or on a surcoat or tabard used to cover and protect armour and to identify the wearer. Thus the term is often stated as "coat-armour", because it was anciently displayed on the front of a coat of cloth...
and insignia
Insignia
Insignia or insigne pl -nia or -nias : a symbol or token of personal power, status or office, or of an official body of government or jurisdiction...
in 1922. The 1872 sword had its MA displayed in the oval.
Past makers
- Ames, Lilley Company
- M.C. Lilley & Company
- Lilley-Ames Company of Columbus, Ohio
- M.S. Meyers N.Y.C. N.Y.
- Gemsco Inc. New York
- Horstmann Company Philadelphia PA
Selling and other issues
U.S.M.A. cadet swords are copyrighted by the academy and are only sold at the Academy's cadet store. The sword is issued to cadet seniors for free, but must be returned at the end of their senior year. Any cadet or alumnus can buy a new sword for their own.The sword is made today only by WKC Stahl- und Metallwarenfabrik
WKC Stahl- und Metallwarenfabrik
WKC Stahl- und Metallwarenfabrik, formerly Weyersberg, Kirschbaum & Cie., is a sword manufacturing company located in Solingen, Germany....
in Solingen
Solingen
Solingen is a city in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is located on the northern edge of the region called Bergisches Land, south of the Ruhr area, and with a 2009 population of 161,366 is the second largest city in the Bergisches Land...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
.
This sword is not allowed to be sold new by anyone other than the cadet store at West Point.
Some retail outlets sell this sword new on the internet, in violation of West Point's policies.
The West Point Book Store has never put in an order for sabers: they have only ordered swords.
The Cadet's first saber
The West Point Cadet is never issued a Saber nor are they allowed to carry one. Commissioned Officers are allowed to carry the Army model 1902, carried in a scabbard hanging from a shoulder belt known as a baldric or from a waist-mounted sword belt.This is not an issued item and most officers today do not buy their own until they have a need for it.See also
- United States Military AcademyUnited States Military AcademyThe United States Military Academy at West Point is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located at West Point, New York. The academy sits on scenic high ground overlooking the Hudson River, north of New York City...
- U.S. regulation swords