It is a time-honored badge of the rank, and a close quarters weapon. Its proper wearing and use is as much a part of the officer impression as any other part. This article will address the proper manual of arms for its wearing and use. This will mainly address parade and other formations for which the naval officer is most apt to make use of his sword, with some attention to situations that can come about during the leading of landing parties.
Safety is always primary to authenticity with a drawn sword.
Likewise, this article makes no attempt to be comprehensive, and is from a collection of reference materials, such as may be found in Hardee's, Casey's and Scott's manuals and other less common references. Many positions are decided from the sometimes incompatible manuals through period photographs of officers exercising the position. We must start by hanging the scabbarded sword properly form the slings on the sword belt. 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.