british military swords 1786-1912 an illustrated price guide for collectors by harvey j s withers

CURRENT MARKET VALUE PRICE GUIDE OVER 1500 FULL COLOUR UNPUBLISHED PHOTOGRAPHS british SWORD-MAKERS’ & RETAILERS’ INDEX PROOF, MAKER AND REGIMENTAL MARKS TO SWORDS

Harvey Withers Military PublishingHarvey Withers Military PublishingHarvey Withers Military Publishing

BRITISH BRITISH MILITARY MILITARY SWORDSSWORDS

1786 - 1912 THE REGULATION

PATTERNS AN ILLUSTRATED

PRICE GUIDE FOR COLLECTORS

Harvey J. S. Withers

FULLY REVISED AND UPDATED PRICE GUIDE FOR 2010/11

CHAPTER 3CHAPTER 3 British Infantry Swords

By 1800, this type of curved sabre had already been unofficially adopted by many light infantry offi-cers, and it was only a matter of time before official recognition came in 1803 (figures 1. and 2.). One of the most attractive of British pattern swords, it has numerous subtle variations in design, most notably to the royal cypher on the knuckle-bow and the lions-head pommel (figures 3., 4. and 6.). The knucklebow can also feature either a bugle or flaming grenade above the royal crown, denoting use by both grenadiers and rifle companies. Blades were also lavishly decorated with blue and gilt. Its curved, cavalry type blade borrowed much from the eastern scimitar, and it quickly enjoyed quite a vogue amongst officers returning from the recent Egyptian campaigns. Although apparently unsuited to fighting on the ground (its curved blade would have been more effective when slashed from the saddle), style over substance seems to have won the day. Lieutenant William Smith of the 77th Foot (Middlesex Regiment) carried this pattern as he “hewed and slashed his way through the enemy” be-fore succumbing to his many wounds at the Battle of Ciudad Rodrigo in the Peninsular War. Most examples are found without scabbards but it is worth holding on until you can locate a complete piece. This sword looks most attractive when paired with its gilt brass mounted scabbard. Examples with ivory grips were likely to have been carried by more senior officers (figure 5.).

British Military Swords 1786 British Military Swords 1786 British Military Swords 1786 ––– 191219121912

1786/1796 PATT. INFANTRY OFFICER’S SWORD1786/1796 PATT. INFANTRY OFFICER’S SWORD HHHILT:ILT:ILT: Gilt brass but also Gilt brass but also Gilt brass but also found in steel (mainly found in steel (mainly found in steel (mainly 1786 Spadroon types). 1786 Spadroon types). 1786 Spadroon types). Plain brass for NCO‟s Plain brass for NCO‟s Plain brass for NCO‟s ––– 1786/1796.1786/1796.1786/1796. GGGRIP:RIP:RIP: Ivory / ebony or horn Ivory / ebony or horn Ivory / ebony or horn to 1786 Spadroon to 1786 Spadroon to 1786 Spadroon versions versions versions 1786/1796 Patterns1786/1796 Patterns1786/1796 Patterns::: Steel/silver twistwire Steel/silver twistwire Steel/silver twistwire or a sheet silver or a sheet silver or a sheet silver simulated “twistwire” simulated “twistwire” simulated “twistwire” wrap. wrap. wrap. SSSCABBARD:CABBARD:CABBARD: Black leather with gilt Black leather with gilt Black leather with gilt brass mounts. brass mounts. brass mounts. An all steel “field” An all steel “field” An all steel “field” version has been version has been version has been noted.noted.noted. BBBLADE LENGTH:LADE LENGTH:LADE LENGTH: Approx. 32”.Approx. 32”.Approx. 32”.

This pattern of sword was adopted soon after the official abolition of the Officer‟s Spontoon, or half pike, which had become little more than a symbol of authority in the field of battle, rather than an ef-fective combat weapon. King George III approved the introduction of a straight bladed, single fullered sword, and early 1786 Pattern spadroon-type versions are to be found with a straight, beaded knucklebow, reeded ivory grip and cushion, vase or urn-shaped pommels (figure 1.). This was soon replaced by a double shell guard. It is this pattern of sword that is more commonly encountered. Early examples of the 1786 Pattern (figure 4.) have a rigid double shell guard that was superceded in 1796 for one that had a folding guard (figure 3.). This adaptation enabled the officer to avoid fraying his uniform. An NCO pattern (figure 2.) is also found with plain brass hilt, blade and scabbard mounts. Hilt and scabbard mounts were plain brass. It is much rarer than the officer„s sword as they were normally discarded when unserviceable. The 1796 Pattern was the mainstay of the British Infan-try Officer for over 25 years and the design influenced many other countries, most notably the United States, where the Model 1840 non-commissioned officer‟s sword bears a striking resemblance. Its obvious defects and fighting inadequacy were no doubt the cause of many unnecessary deaths amongst British officers. Protection to the hand was minimal, and the blade was rather thin and flimsy.

It is not a scarce sword for the collector to acquire but most examples are in poor condition due to the fragility of the folding guard. Worn blades, and the tendency for the quillon to snap off (look out for poorly re-attached quillons) are also common. This is made worse by the frequent absence of the gilt brass and leather scabbard which easily perished both in the field and after years of careless storage. Swords with substantial blue and gilt decoration remaining to the blade and complete with original scabbard, can command very high prices. Good examples are becoming extremely difficult to locate in the market. Many examples are marked “JJ Runkel” to the blade edge. John Runkel had an office in London and was a major importer of German blades for the British Army during the Napoleonic Wars.

Other makers names found on blades include Birmingham swordsmiths, Woolley and Deakin and London makers, Brunn, Prosser and Salter.

1.1.1. 2.2.2. 3.3.3. 4.4.4.

HHHILT:ILT:ILT: Gilt brass. Gilt brass. Gilt brass. GGGRIP:RIP:RIP: Fishskin (figure 1.), Fishskin (figure 1.), Fishskin (figure 1.), leather (figure 2.), leather (figure 2.), leather (figure 2.), ivory (figure 3.) and ivory (figure 3.) and ivory (figure 3.) and ebony ebony ebony ––– with silver or with silver or with silver or brass twistwire.brass twistwire.brass twistwire. SSSCABBARD:CABBARD:CABBARD: Black or brown Black or brown Black or brown leather with gilt brass leather with gilt brass leather with gilt brass mounts.mounts.mounts. BBBLADE LENGTH:LADE LENGTH:LADE LENGTH: Approx. 31”.Approx. 31”.Approx. 31”.

1.1.1. 2.2.2.

1803 PATTERN INFANTRY OFFICER’S SWORD1803 PATTERN INFANTRY OFFICER’S SWORD

3.3.3.

4.4.4.

6.6.6.

5.5.5.

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18031803 PATTERNPATTERN

INFANTRY INFANTRY OFFICER’S OFFICER’S

SWORDSWORD

1803 1803 PATTERNPATTERN

LIONSHEAD LIONSHEAD POMMELSPOMMELS


Differing styles of royal cypher, including strung bugle above crown, for a Rifle Officer, (figure 1.).

Above:

Two views of an 1803 Infantry Officer’s sword, retaining much original gilding.

Blue and gilt blade decoration, including the figure of Britannia, “GR” (George III) royal cypher, crown, military trophies, laurels and foliage. Blade is not maker marked but is likely to have had the blue and gilding applied in a Birmingham workshop from a German blade.

Above and left:

1803 Pattern Infantry Officer’s Sword with leather and brass twistwire to grip.

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1.1.1.

Left:

Backstrap with well defined lionshead mane decoration.Note:Georgian sword knots are very rare.


HEAVY HEAVY CAVALRY CAVALRY OFFICER’SOFFICER’S

(UNDRESS)(UNDRESS) SWORDSWORD


Right and above:

This rare example highlights the typical “ladder” hilt and early honeysuckle designs.


LIGHT LIGHT CAVALRY CAVALRY OFFICER’S OFFICER’S

SWORDSWORD

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THE 1796 PATTERN STIRRUP HILT THE 1796 PATTERN STIRRUP HILT HAS MANY VARIATIONS AND WAS HAS MANY VARIATIONS AND WAS

INTERPRETED VERY LOOSELY, INTERPRETED VERY LOOSELY, WITH DIFFERING STYLES OF WITH DIFFERING STYLES OF

GUARD, POMMELS, QUILLONS AND GUARD, POMMELS, QUILLONS AND LANGETS.LANGETS.


(LIFE GUARDS) (LIFE GUARDS)

CAVALRY CAVALRY TROOPER’STROOPER’S

SWORDSWORD

1848 1848 PATTERNPATTERN (ROYAL HORSE (ROYAL HORSE

GUARDS)GUARDS)

CAVALRY CAVALRY TROOPER’STROOPER’S

SWORDSWORD


Both the 1820 and 1848 Patterns are extremely scarce swords and seldom seen in the market.

The 1820 Pattern was a forerunner of the 1834 Pattern Household Cavalry Officer’s Sword.

This is evident in the large, brass studs placed on the bowl edge.

The Queen’s Bays, 1912.The Queen’s Bays, 1912.The Queen’s Bays, 1912.

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Blade forte maker marked to Hamburger, Rogers and Co., King Street, London.

1857 1857 PATTERN PATTERN

(ROYAL ENGINEERS)(ROYAL ENGINEERS)

INFANTRY INFANTRY OFFICER’S OFFICER’S

BROADSWORDBROADSWORD


HIGHLANDHIGHLAND INFANTRY INFANTRY

SERGEANT’S SERGEANT’S BROADSWORDBROADSWORD

1857 Pattern Scottish Officer’s Broadsword with distinctive acanthus-leafed scrolling decoration to the bowl guard.

British Military Swords 1786 – 1912

Note the typical 1828 Pattern Highland Broadsword ball chape scabbard.

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THE SWORD OF MAJOR AUGOTT OF THE THE SWORD OF MAJOR AUGOTT OF THE 1ST BATTALION, THE DUNBARTON 1ST BATTALION, THE DUNBARTON

RIFLE VOLUNTEERS RIFLE VOLUNTEERS (PRINCESS LOUISES’S ARGYLL AND (PRINCESS LOUISES’S ARGYLL AND

SUTHERLAND HIGHLANDERS, c.1900’S.SUTHERLAND HIGHLANDERS, c.1900’S.

Sergeant, Sergeant, Sergeant, Royal Scots,Royal Scots,Royal Scots, c.1890.c.1890.c.1890.

1821 PATT. ROYAL ARTILLERY 1821 PATT. ROYAL ARTILLERY OFFICER’S SWORDOFFICER’S SWORD


1857 PATTERN ROYAL 1857 PATTERN ROYAL ENGINEER OFFICER’S SWORDENGINEER OFFICER’S SWORD

This pattern of sword was carried until the late-nineteenth century when it was replaced by the 1892/95 and finally, the 1897 Pattern Infantry Offi-cer’s Sword.

The 1897 Pattern is still carried today by Royal En-gineer Officers. Victorian blades normally feature Royal Engineer regimental motifs.

They are not particularly common. When found in good condition with origi-nal brass scabbard, they can command a high price.

Royal Engineer Officers (designated the Corps of Engi-neers, in 1788) carried standard infantry pattern swords from 1786, and were regarded very much as an adjunct to the infan-try regiments.

In the Victorian era, the Royal Engineers established a specific and unique role for themselves. They underlined their independ-ence with a sword design pecu-liar to their branch of service.

It is one of the most attractive of Victorian sword designs and fea-tures a pierced gilt brass bowl guard, with deep scrolled acan-thus leafed decoration.

C.1870 HONOURABLE ARTILLERY C.1870 HONOURABLE ARTILLERY COMPANY OFFICER’S SWORDCOMPANY OFFICER’S SWORD

The Honourable Artillery Com-pany is the oldest regiment in the British Army, and was estab-lished in 1537 by King Henry VIII. The charter described a “Fraternity or Guild of St. George: Masters and Rulers of the said science of Artillery as aforesaid rehearsed for Long-bows, Cross-bows and Hand-guns”.

It was primarily a citizen mili-tia, and raised in times of na-tional emergency, including the Armada, English Civil War and Napoleonic Wars. Up until the Victorian era, officers would have probably followed infantry sword patterns. As this was a volunteer army, they would have had to pay for all service equip-ment, including swords. As the

cost came out of their own pocket, they wasted no time in embellishing their swords with extravagant hilt and blade decoration, including presentation in-scriptions. Blue and gilt blades are also common.

The c.1870 Honourable Artillery Officer’s sword pictured highlights the strong influence of French sword design at this time, particularly the knucklebow and angled pommel. Note the flaming grenade motif in the hilt, signifying their artillery designation.

It is an extremely common pat-tern of sword and a large num-ber have survived.

Most 1821 Pattern Light Cav-alry Officers’ Swords will dis-play blade decoration, includ-ing the thunderbolt, lightning and winged motif of the Royal Artillery.

Victorian Royal Artillery Offi-cers’ swords tend to have the best quality etching to blades. Some volunteer artillery swords are also found with presenta-tion inscriptions and etching for almost the entire length of the blade. This pattern of sword is iden-

tical pattern to that carried by light cavalry officers (1821 Pattern Light Cavalry Offi-cers Sword). I t was introduced in the 1830’s, and adopted by both Royal Artil-lery and Royal Horse Artil-lery Officers.

Prior to this, officers carried the standard 1786 and 1796 Pattern Infantry Officer’s Sword. The mounted Royal Horse Artillery (formed in 1799, and a separate wing of the Royal Artillery), used the 1796 Pattern Light Cavalry Officer’s Sword whilst in the field, and a mameluke hilted sword for dress occasions.

The standard three bar hilted light cavalry officer’s sword eventually became the uni-versal weapon for officers serving in all branches of the Royal Artillery.

HHHILT:ILT:ILT: SteelSteelSteel. . . GGGRIP:RIP:RIP: Fishskin and silver/Fishskin and silver/Fishskin and silver/steel twistwire.steel twistwire.steel twistwire. SSSCABBARD:CABBARD:CABBARD: SteelSteelSteel... BBBLADE LENGTH:LADE LENGTH:LADE LENGTH: Approx.Approx.Approx. 323232”.”.”. Approx. 28” for the Approx. 28” for the Approx. 28” for the short version.short version.short version.

HHHILT:ILT:ILT: Gilt brassGilt brassGilt brass. . . GGGRIP:RIP:RIP: Fishskin and brass Fishskin and brass Fishskin and brass twistwiretwistwiretwistwire... SSSCABBARD:CABBARD:CABBARD: Black leather with Black leather with Black leather with gilt brass mounts.gilt brass mounts.gilt brass mounts. BBBLADE LENGTH:LADE LENGTH:LADE LENGTH: Approx.Approx.Approx. 303030”.”.”.

HHHILT:ILT:ILT: Gilt brass or Gilt brass or Gilt brass or gunmetal.gunmetal.gunmetal. GGGRIP:RIP:RIP: Fishskin and brass Fishskin and brass Fishskin and brass twistwiretwistwiretwistwire... SSSCABBARD:CABBARD:CABBARD: Steel/brass for Field Steel/brass for Field Steel/brass for Field OfficersOfficersOfficers... BBBLADE LENGTH:LADE LENGTH:LADE LENGTH: Approx.Approx.Approx. 323232”.”.”.

Above and left: 1821 Pattern – short version.

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18051805 PATTERN PATTERN

NAVAL NAVAL OFFICER’S OFFICER’S

SWORDSWORD


Above:

Scabbard with typical late-Georgian incised geometric designs to the leather.

Above and left:

Unusual 1805 Pattern Naval Officer’s sword with 18th Century multi-fullered blade and “Andrea Ferrara” markings.

A Naval Boarding Action, c.1810.A Naval Boarding Action, c.1810.A Naval Boarding Action, c.1810.

Nelson at the Nelson at the Nelson at the Battle of Battle of Battle of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Copenhagen, 1801.1801.1801.

Above:

Scabbard throat etched with makers name of William Drury, London.

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british military swords 1786-1912 an illustrated price guide for collectors by harvey j s withers

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