Stahlrohrlanze
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
.jpg)
The Stahlrohrlanze (German: "steel tube lance") was a German cavalry weapon issued in two variants, the M1890 and M1893nA. The German cavalry had been armed with a mixture of weapons until 1889, when it was decided that the entire corps would be issued lances. Initially wooden lances were issued, but in 1890 the first steel-tube lance was introduced. This was a 3.2-metre-long (10 ft) haft, with a 126-millimetre-long (5.0 in) quadrangular spear point. The M1890 has six eyelets below the point, which could be used to attach lance pennons. In 1893, a slightly modified lance, the M1893nA, was introduced. This included a leather tassel which could be used to carry the lance. The pennon eyelets were made larger and reduced to four. The M1890 remained in service with two eyelets removed to resemble the new weapon. The lances remained in use throughout the First World War, until they were removed from field service in 1927.
The cavalry of the German Empire underwent a process of standardisation and reorganisation in the late 1880s. As part of this all units were to be issued with lances, previously carried only by uhlans.[1] They were carried by all privates and some non-commissioned officers (NCOs). Those NCOs not issued with lances, and the cavalry officers, continued to be armed with swords.[2] Initially wooden lances were issued, as had been carried previously, but in 1890 a new, all-steel design was introduced.[1] The 1911 edition of the Encyclopaedia Britannica concluded that steel was used because the Germans had difficulty obtaining wooden shafts with which to equip their cavalry. British lancers used bamboo or ash shafts, but the German Empire lacked the former and the encyclopaedia stated that German ash did not grow sufficiently straight for the latter.[3] Uhlans from the province of Silesia continued to carry a wooden lance and were later issued with the M1896 pine-shafted lance.[4]
The M1890 lance (the "Stahlrohrlanze" or "steel tube lance") was the first all-steel lance.[1] It consists of a blackened-steel haft, a bright-steel point and a pointed conical shoe at the base.[5] The latter allowed the lance to be rammed into the earth and stand, point upwards.[2] When ordered to fight dismounted the cavalrymen would drive their lances into the ground at the position where the horses were to be left, with horse-holders, and advance carrying their carbines.[6] The lance measures 3.2 metres (10 ft) in length and the point, square in section, is 126 millimetres (5.0 in) long.[7] A leather grip is attached to the mid-point of the haft, secured by three brass rings.[5] On the haft below the point are six eyelets through which a wire could be threaded to hold a lance pennon.[1] Unit markings, a serial number and royal mark were stamped on two of the opposing faces of the point.[7]
