BRITISH 1822/1845 INFANTRY OFFICER’S SWORD

BRITISH 1822/1845 INFANTRY OFFICER’S SWORD

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$695.00 ON HOLD

Quantity Available: 1

Item Code: 2026-247

This pattern was introduced in 1822 and features a gilt brass, “Gothic style” open-work half-basket hilt with folding guard. These were used during the reigns of George IV, William IV, and Victoria, with their royal cyphers in an oval incorporated into the guard. This one has the ornate, foliate “VR” cypher of Victoria both in the guard and etched on the 32.75” blade. The early versions of the sword use a pipe-back blade, this has the more conventional style, deemed stronger, adopted about 1845.

This has a very good sharkskin grip wrap and wire binding. The blade is full length, with edge and point, smooth metal with no pitting, mostly a light gray with some darker gray spots. The etching is rubbed and light, but visible. Both sides feature dense foliate panels with symmetrical leaf or Arabesque terminals at the bottom and middle. The obverse ricasso has an inset “PROVED” disk, used by British blade makers in a failed effort to distinguish their work from German counterfeits, the foreign makers simply copying the disk as well, with a prominent, foliate entwined VR under a crown with sunburst rays overhead at the upper middle. The reverse lower panel is etched with the maker/retailer  address:  “H. HART / 26 / PALL MALL / LONDON” Bezdek list Henry Hart at this address from 1835-1886 as an army tailor, clothier, army accoutrement maker, and sword cutler. This is followed by a second panel with foliate entwined VR, crown with sunburst rays, and similar symmetrical foliate scrolls at the upper end of the panel.

In keeping with the more robust construction of the sword, the scabbard (in the earlier configuration being leather and brass) is steel. The screw-fastened throat, both ring bands and drag are in place. The surface is brown overall with some thin crustiness here and there, some gray showing through in places, but solid, with a few shallow dings showing some active field use.

A very good example of a British infantry officer’s sword for field service that was regulation until the 1854 pattern was introduced, but would naturally have seen continued use for some time thereafter.  [sr][ph:L]

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