Odd Miltary and Police sword carrying style, why?

[Drago]

Hi,

 

I've seen this in photos, movies, anime etc. Police and Military of Meiji and later periods often wore their sword/saber with the saya-tip pointing foward and the tsuka towards the back.

 

Why was that? Doesn't that make drawing the blade awfully difficult?

 

Thanks.

[Geraint]

Hi Tobias.

 

I think its a matter of convenience. Many swords are provided with a regain hook, something to allow the wearer to carry the sword higher against the waist and often arranged as you describe. Certainly in Meiji and later uniform the sword would often be worn for general duties and not intended for ready use. A sword swinging from hangers is a bloomin' nuisance and it is much easier to go about daily life with it clipped higher and pointed saya forward.

 

Hope this helps.

[Drago]

True, BUT:

Why would policemen on patrol or officers in the field do something like that when they might have to drwa their sword at any given moment? And why not hang the sword on the regain hook so that it points in a "usable" direction?

[Geraint]

First off, swords worn in regain only when the prospect of action is not imminent, hence no need of the quick draw. We are talking of army and police units modeled on western counterparts which means that they would expect to be in uniform a lot of the time but only in combat rarely. Second, the practice of wearing a sword slung from the waist, again patterned after western models, means that the sword is swinging about and getting in the way for most of the time. Viz:

 

"The novice always seems to hang the sword from the hook on the belt, but hangs it the same way it hangs from the straps - guard forward and drag to the rear. This gets in the way while walking, interferes with ladies dresses or other persons walking close by, hits the ground, is inconvenient when sitting down, and can bang on the steps or trip the wearer while going up or down ladders or stairs.

 

The hook hanging from the left side of the belt at the top of the front sword strap is to carry the sword while not drawn from the scabbard (all branches). There is not a reference in the Naval Regulations or in Hardee's concerning carrying or hanging officers' swords. However, period naval and marine pictures show the accepted manner.

 

The proper way to hang the sword when not in use is to seize the upper ring between the thumb and the fore finger of the left hand, back of the hand up, raising the scabbard, whilst turning the hilt toward the body, until it points to the rear; passing the ring over the hook attached to the waist-belt. It is obvious that elevating the sword and hanging it with the drag (point) forward was the desired result more than the guard to the rear. The left elbow can be slightly pressed against the body and forward of the properly hung sword guard while walking. This keeps the drag forward and resting slightly across the left leg and out of the way of feet and people in the rear. The left hand falls naturally on the scabbard to rotate the drag of the sword further up and forward out of the way when sitting down and going up and down stairs. See figures 1 through 3. This manner may be observed in period photos in The Image of War, Vols. I and III."

 

From: http://www.navyandmarine.org/ondeck/1862swordmanual.htm

 

Hope this makes sense,

[Lindus]

Our old police carried their Truncheon in a pocket concealed in the trousers,only drew when threat occured.

Says it all I think

Roy

[Drago]

Ah, I see. Thank you very much.