Ceremonial Military Swords
CEREMONIAL MILITARY SWORDS
Army Shop is an official Defence Recognised Supplier to the Australian Defence Forces. We understand your requirements-whether you are a serving military member or an astute military collector, you demand unrivalled quality and the finest workmanship in collectables and memorabilia.
Which is why Army Shop - one of Australia's most reputable suppliers of exquisite military memorabilia and collectables - invites you to peruse our superb collection of blades from one of the world's leading sword makers - Windlass Steelcrafts, which is an ISO accredited sword maker.
Windlass Swords
Our sword collection is by Windlass Sword Company. Established in 1945, Windlass is the only company in the world that produces every pattern military sword, scabbard, and lance in current use by the three arms of the British Armed Forces. Windlass Sword Company now supplies military swords, lances, and related accoutrements to every arm of the British Armed Forces as well as to officers and defence departments in Europe, Asia, and the Commonwealth.
Army Swords
The General Officer's Sword
Capturing the pomp and ceremony, and even the eccentricity of the British Army Generals' uniform dress, this spectacular and intricately decorated blade pays homage to the Duke of Wellington.
When the British military prescribed a new sword for its generals in 1831, the design closely mimicked the Duke's non-regulation Mameluke-hilted sword inspired by his years in India.
The distinctively curved blade's last 12 inches is double-edged and is finely etched. The guard and ornamental mounts on the ivory-style Mameluke hilt are made of gold plated brass, while the nickel-plated steel scabbard has two loose rings on cruciform bands and a square shoe.
Available in both King and Queen Cypher.
VIEW ALLCavalry Officer's Sword
Used by the British Cavalry in dramatic and bloody mounted battles, your cavalry sword was specially created for the fury of close-quarter fights where the longer and heavier blades would too often prove to be the difference between life and death.
These magnificent swords are today carried by the Dragoon, Light Dragoon, Hussar and Lancer Regiments and carry highly individual patterns from the early days of last century. Your carbon steel blade is acid-etched with an ornate pattern and regimental crest, while the guard features an intricate honeysuckle design chased into the nickel-plated steel.
The black fish-skin grip, bound with silver-plated copper wire, is capped with a beautiful stepped pommel.
Your Cavalry Officer's sword is carried in a Sam Browne leather scabbard with plated brass mouthpiece for service wear. Made from close straight grained wood covered with quality leather the same colour as the sealed pattern, it is guaranteed to retain its shape and be of the highest quality.
Available in both King and Queen Cypher.
VIEW ALLArtillery Officer's Sword
The design and pattern of the Royal Artillery Officer's sword harks back to 1822 when this distinctive and slightly curved, spear-pointed blade was first used by the Light Cavalry. The blade is acid-etched with your regimental crest of choice. The hilt is a half-basket with three fluted bars and its black fish-bound grip is bound with silver-plated copper wire and capped with a beautiful stepped pommel.
Your Artillery Officer's sword is carried in a Sam Browne leather scabbard with plated brass mouthpiece for service wear or a nickel-plated steel scabbard when required for formal full dress.
The Sam Browne scabbard is made from close straight grained wood covered with quality leather the same colour as the sealed pattern. The steel scabbard is lined by fibre or wood. Both scabbards are guaranteed to retain their shape and to be of the highest quality.
Available in both King and Queen Cypher.
VIEW ALLInfantry Officer's Sword
Worn and used by British Regiments without modification since 1897 this magnificent, traditional twin-edged sword consists of a straight carbon steel blade finely acid-etched with the regimental crest.
The etched nickel-plated steel basket hilt incorporates the sovereign's royal cipher in its beautiful scroll pattern, while the grip is finished with silver plated copper wire.
Your Infantry Officer's sword is carried in a Sam Browne leather scabbard with plated brass mouthpiece for service wear or a nickel-plated steel scabbard when required for formal full dress.
The Sam Browne scabbard is made from close straight grained wood covered with quality leather the same colour as the sealed pattern. It is guaranteed to retain its shape and to be of the highest quality.
The steel scabbard is lined by fibre or wood and guaranteed to retain its shape and be of the highest quality.
Available in both King and Queen Cypher.
VIEW ALLCeremonial Military Sword Accessories
We have a large range of accessories to complement your sword including stands, scabbards, knots and more.
Scabbards
Every magnificent Windlass comes with a scabbard that is as distinctive, ornate and precious as the blade which it protects. The authentic and traditional designs complement their partner swords, and are marked by a sophisticated and under-stated classic styling.
The mirror-polished steel scabbards are nickel or gold-plated, individually hand-assembled and quality-assured by the most stringent testing. Wood or fibre-lined, they will retain their shape and resist warping and twisting.
The leather Sam Browne scabbards are traditionally made from close straight grained wood and covered with high quality leather, stitched with a waxed thread and coloured to match the sealed pattern.
Each scabbard is approximately 25mm longer than its sword.
While the purchase of your sword includes the matching scabbard, you may also purchase replacement Windlass scabbards individually.
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Knots
Highly decorative and an essential military blade accessory, the sword knot is the perfect finish to your investment.
Evolving from its practical origins centuries ago of looping around a swordsman's wrist and securing his grip to the hilt to prevent loss of his blade in battle, the sword knot is now a mandatory, but ornamental and decorative accessory for service personnel. For active service the knot is a classic leather strap, while full dress versions are elaborate gold or silver tassels in patterns signifying a regiment or unit.
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Belts and Slings
For those occasions when your word must be worn our belts and slings are a must. Made to the highest standards they are ideal for parade wear.
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Frogs
Our high quality full-grained leather frogs are an essential addition to your fine Windlass blade. Sword frogs attach to the Sam Browne belt and suspend the sword when worn for ceremonial purposes.
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Leather Sword Bags
Protect your investment with our genuine leather sword bags. Ideal protection for when your sword is being stored or transported.
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Display Stands
Our sword stands are designed specifically for your ceremonial military sword. The stand allows the sword and scabbard to be displayed. The front of the base is an ideal spot to place a personalised engraved plate.
VIEW ALLMiniature Ceremonial Military Swords
These beautifully boxed miniature swords retain all the detail of the full-sized versions. They are manufactured to the same exacting standards and with the same traditional and British Ministry of Defence required components as their full-sized counterparts. They make a perfect companion for the standard-sized swords or as a collection in their own right. Each miniature ceremonial military sword comes in a handsome leatherette covered gift box. Ideal for presentation gifts.
Miniature Ceremonial Military Sword Stand
Our miniature sword stands are designed specifically for your miniature ceremonial military sword. The stand allows the sword and scabbard to be displayed. The front of the base is an ideal spot to place a personalised engraved plate.
Stainless steel or high-carbon steel
Army Shop's swords are available in either high carbon steel or stainless steel. Outwardly swords made of these different materials look virtually identical, so what is the difference?
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel is made by alloying chromium and steel. To be classified as stainless the chromium content must be 12% or greater. The chromium protects the steel from corrosion (rust) by forming a protective layer of chromium oxide. This makes stainless steel easier to maintain however, in terms of sword performance, it has its drawbacks. The addition of chromium makes the steel more brittle, which means it is more likely to break if stressed, although this is only a major consideration if the sword is intended to be used in a combat situation.
High Carbon Steel
High carbon steel is the traditional material for the forging of military swords. High carbon steel is steel with a carbon content of between 0.6% and 0.95%. High carbon steel swords are less likely to break and hold an edge better but require more maintenance than stainless steel swords. The blade of a carbon steel sword should be lightly oiled with a mineral oil or a sewing machine oil. You should always avoid touching the blade of a high carbon steel sword with bare hands as the acids in your skin can cause rust. Never store a high carbon steel sword in its scabbard as this can trap moisture.
Ceremonial Military Swords
Army Shop is an official Defence Recognised Supplier to the Australian Defence Forces. We understand your requirements-whether you are a serving military member or an astute military collector, you demand unrivalled quality and the finest workmanship in collectables and memorabilia.
Which is why Army Shop - one of Australia's most reputable suppliers of exquisite military memorabilia and collectables - invites you to peruse our superb collection of blades from one of the world's leading sword makers - Windlass Steelcrafts, which is an ISO accredited sword maker.
Used by and made to the exact specifications of the Australian Defence Forces and the British Ministry of Defence, Windlass swords ensure the highest standards of craftsmanship by using traditional manufacturing techniques and individual hand-assembled. Blades are forged from a single billet of high-carbon or stainless steel, hand-ground, hardened and tempered, and polished to a mirror finish before acid-etching with their distinctive, ornate patterns.
Each sword's hilt or guard is cast in brass or pressed in steel before shaping, mirror-polishing and gold or nickel electro-plating. The grip core is carved from wood and covered in ray-skin before being bound with gold or silver-plated wire.
Your sword is superbly finished by the inclusion of hand-made scabbards produced from rawhide leather or wood covered with pig or goat-skin. A team of inspectors certifies your magnificent sword through exhaustive and demanding tests so you are assured it is to the highest quality standards demanded by both tradition and Commonwealth Armed Forces.
So, whether you are selecting a precious blade for your uniform; to collect; or as a unique Christmas gift that will be treasured forever, all Army Shop swords provide you with unrivalled quality and value for money.
Army Shop offers all our discerning clients a 100% money back guarantee on the quality of each sword, scabbard, and boxes and stands for our miniatures. Your investment in a precious Windlass sword is also supported by a Royal Warrant of Appointment.
While we are confident we offer the most affordable prices, we also extend to you our price guarantee, where Army Shop will match or beat any advertised price*.
*Proof of lower advertised price must be presented to Army Shop to ensure you receive the benefits of our price guarantee.
Stainless steel or high-carbon steel
Army Shop's swords are available in either high carbon steel or stainless steel. Outwardly swords made of these different materials look virtually identical, so what is the difference?
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel is made by alloying chromium and steel. To be classified as stainless the chromium content must be 12% or greater. The chromium protects the steel from corrosion (rust) by forming a protective layer of chromium oxide. This makes stainless steel easier to maintain however, in terms of sword performance, it has its drawbacks. The addition of chromium makes the steel more brittle, which means it is more likely to break if stressed, although this is only a major consideration if the sword is intended to be used in a combat situation.
High Carbon Steel
High carbon steel is the traditional material for the forging of military swords. High carbon steel is steel with a carbon content of between 0.6% and 0.95%. High carbon steel swords are less likely to break and hold an edge better but require more maintenance than stainless steel swords. The blade of a carbon steel sword should be lightly oiled with a mineral oil or a sewing machine oil. You should always avoid touching the blade of a high carbon steel sword with bare hands as the acids in your skin can cause rust. Never store a high carbon steel sword in its scabbard as this can trap moisture.
Windlass Swords
It's factories, which have been audited and approved by the UK Ministry of Defence Quality Department, design and manufacture in strict accordance with the latest UK MoD specifications. Windlass is now the only sword company in the world producing every part of it's products, using traditional methods, in it's own factory.
Heading up the company is Malcolm Ordever, the former General Manager of Wilkinson Sword, with over 40 years of experience in the sword industry. As one of the country's leading experts on British military swords, he is very happy, if required, to give advise to officers on regimental/corps sword regulations.
Besides the military swords, Windlass Sword Company can also supply other products produced in the Windlass Steelcafts factory, such as presentation swords, miniature swords, kukris, medieval swords, shields, and medieval armour.
Windlass Sword also has a UK workshop based in South Wales where they offer a sword refurbishment service taking older swords up to parade condition. At this workshop, they also offer a full engraving service where regimental/corps crests, family crests, and personalised inscriptions can be added to sword blades.