Regimental Swords
The 15th Field Artillery Regiment has been gifted many swords over the years. They are used during ceremonial parades and stored on display in the Officers' Mess.
The RCA Pattern Sword is based upon the Light Cavalry Pattern of 1822, half-basket plated hilt, with two fluted bars on the outside; black stingray-skin grip, bound with silver wire; slightly curved nickel plated with a single edge, 34” long and 1” wide, grooved and spear-pointed. Note: The sword is carried by the scabbard in the left hand at the point of balance (near the lower scabbard ring) the scabbard points to the front at an angle of 45 degrees, with the hilt to the rear.
The Sword Knot is a gold cord with gold runner and acorn. The sword knot is attached to the hilt by passing the loop through the slot from above, bring the acorn through the loop on the guard side and hauling fast (i.e. down and out). The knot is always left hanging loose when the sword is in the scabbard. The slide on the gold cord is positioned midway between the acorn and the point at which the cord is attached to the hilt of the sword.
There are two types of Sword Slings used by the Canadian artillery. One is gold lace lined with dark blue morocco leather, (2.54 cm (1 in) wide with gilt lion-head buckles. When blue morocco leather cannot be acquired, black cattle or other sourced leather patterned to resemble morocco leather is an acceptable alternative. Sword slings are suspended by the square ends from a web sword belt which is worn outside the trouser and under the jacket. The short sling is fastened on the left of the web belt and the long sling at the back. The pointed ends of the slings are fastened to the rings on the scabbard. The long sling should emerge from below the centre back of the jacket. The scabbard should just reach the ground. The second type is of white leather 2.54 cm (1 in) sling for use by RCHA/RCA Chief Warrant officers when using the CAF white sword belt.
The Sword Belt when worn with RCA Full Dress is a gold waist belt worn over the jacket. This also applies to directors of music with frock coats. All other orders of dress consist of the RCA pattern web belt worn under the jacket/tunic with two exceptions: If required to wear with the CAF Overcoat, the sword belt must be worn over the over coat as it is not fabricated to accommodate the sword; and Chief Warrant Officers will use the CAF white sword belt.
The Sword Knot is a gold cord with gold runner and acorn. The sword knot is attached to the hilt by passing the loop through the slot from above, bring the acorn through the loop on the guard side and hauling fast (i.e. down and out). The knot is always left hanging loose when the sword is in the scabbard. The slide on the gold cord is positioned midway between the acorn and the point at which the cord is attached to the hilt of the sword.
There are two types of Sword Slings used by the Canadian artillery. One is gold lace lined with dark blue morocco leather, (2.54 cm (1 in) wide with gilt lion-head buckles. When blue morocco leather cannot be acquired, black cattle or other sourced leather patterned to resemble morocco leather is an acceptable alternative. Sword slings are suspended by the square ends from a web sword belt which is worn outside the trouser and under the jacket. The short sling is fastened on the left of the web belt and the long sling at the back. The pointed ends of the slings are fastened to the rings on the scabbard. The long sling should emerge from below the centre back of the jacket. The scabbard should just reach the ground. The second type is of white leather 2.54 cm (1 in) sling for use by RCHA/RCA Chief Warrant officers when using the CAF white sword belt.
The Sword Belt when worn with RCA Full Dress is a gold waist belt worn over the jacket. This also applies to directors of music with frock coats. All other orders of dress consist of the RCA pattern web belt worn under the jacket/tunic with two exceptions: If required to wear with the CAF Overcoat, the sword belt must be worn over the over coat as it is not fabricated to accommodate the sword; and Chief Warrant Officers will use the CAF white sword belt.
The 15th Field Artillery Museum & Archives Society is a registered charitable organization. Donations to the Society will provide a charitable tax receipt for the donor. Contact [email protected] for additional information.