The West Point Cadet Sword is issued to officer cadets of the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, for use when branded under the arm on the uniform, including on official duties, drills, parades, reviews, and graduations. Swords are issued to cadets in their First Class (4th) year and are returned to the academy upon graduation. Despite its straight blade and lack of knuckle protection, it is referred to by USMA personnel and cadets as a "sabre", probably because the manual of arms commands uses the term as an executive order (e.g. "Draw...sword!")
The Ames Model 1850 seems to be the ancestor
of this type of Academy sword. The academy added special heraldry to their
swords from 1872. The other academies are customizing their swords, but now
only 2 remain. The West Point specific cadet sword is sold to current cadets
and alumni only. The basic cadet sword does not have to be made of the same
materials as specified by the Academy and is sold without the USMA heraldry and
can be purchased almost anywhere. The basic cadet sword is made or produced in
Germany, India, Spain and China, but not all swords are of the same quality.
Variations of the sword are used in the Citadel and other military academies
and schools around the world.
The sword is
based on the sword used by the US Army at the founding of the USMA (March 16,
1802). The first swords used were military heirlooms after the academy was
founded in 1802 and are believed to be similar to the French Grenadier
Sergeant's sword used in the Revolutionary Army in 1767. The first swords
purchased for the academy were delivered in 1838.
Swords used in
the USMA are copyrighted and trademarked. They are controlled by the Logistics
Department, the Cadet Service Department, the Equipment Department and the
Service and Subject Center, which is now responsible for keeping the swords and
handing them over to qualified cadet officers.
The cadet shop
sells swords to cadets, alumni and other authorized cadet shop customers.
Damaged and damaged samples can be repaired or scrapped, and components can be
reused. The swords were ordered from Springfield Armory until 1920, when they
competed.
Fully clothed or
under the armpits, the sword and tassel are carried on a white cotton sword
belt hung from the right shoulder to the left waist, and a red silk belt around
the waist. The chest plate is used in the middle of the breasts. This uniform
is official and is worn by the color guard, drum major, officer of the day, and
graduates at parades and honor council meetings. The sword is also used in
drills or in less formal military formations when worn on a black leather belt
around the waist and a brass buckle with the Academy arms.
In 1841, the
superintendent of the academy ordered that the belt must be worn with the
sword. US Army generals wore silk sashes in full uniform until 1917, when the
practice ended in the US Army, but it continued in the academy. In 1955,
Frederick P. Todd stated that today the West Point officer cadet is the only
person in the military who wears a sword and belt, and he is the sole guardian
of the tradition.
- Model 1802 click here
- Model 1839 click here
- Model 1850 click here
- Model 1872 click here
- Model 1922 click here
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