This Victorian Rifle’s sword was made by Pillin and retailed by Hobson & Sons. The sword is marked to the Edinburgh Rifle Volunteer Brigade and bears the owner’s initials.
The Edinburgh Rifle Volunteer Brigade (1st City of Edinburgh RVC) was Scotland’s first volunteer regiment formed in 1859. Nicknamed the “Edinburgh Blacks” due to their charcoal grey uniform, it was a large, 21-company unit drawing officers and men from legal, commercial, and professional backgrounds in Edinburgh and became known as the Queen’s Edinburgh Rifles. The brigade later formed the 4th & 5th battalions of the Royal Scots.
The 875mm single-edged blade is of the 1845 “Wilkinson” pattern. The blade has a flat spine above a broad single fuller and tapers to a double-edged spear point. The blade is in very good condition with minimal age and use related marks.
The blade is etched with the Rifle Brigade’s strung horn above a shield bearing the legend “Edinburgh City R. V. Brigade.” The forte bears the owner’s initials enabling identification of the officer.
The obverse of the blade has Queen Victoria’s crowned royal cipher amidst foliate scrollwork panels. The ricasso is etched with the retailer’s details, Hobson & Sons, Little Windmill Street, London. The obverse ricasso bears a Pillin family proof stud.
The Gothic steel guard is in very good condition. The guard incorporates an oval cartouche containing the crowned, strung horn badge of the Rifle Regiment. The smooth back strap has a knurled thumb rest and ends in a stepped oval pommel and tang button. The shagreen grip is in good condition and the three strands of wire are intact and tight. The blade is firm in the hilt.
The sword is complete with its steel scabbard with twin suspension rings. The scabbard is in very good condition. The sword sheathes and draws smoothly and is held firmly within the scabbard.
This is a great example of a Victorian Rifle officer’s sword, regimentally badged to the Queens Edinburgh Rifles and complete with owner’s initials enabling further research.
