Meanings of unsheathe swords in English

This time the cavalry did not wheel away to re-form; they remained, dropping lances and spears to unsheathe swords.

Folding their hands over the hilts of their unsheathed swords, they bowed their heads.

Instantly, the soldiers unsheathed swords and levelled lances.

Then a whole bunch, until all the other unsheathed swords fall, thudding on the grass like subjects bowing down to their queen.

Above the pews, standing like sentries on their outsized columns, loom hooded statue monks, their granite hands resting on unsheathed swords, as if ready.