This sword is a scarce variant of the 1898 staff sergeant’s pattern made by Sanderson & Newbould of Sheffield. The sword differs from the standard 1898 pattern for staff sergeants in having a large domed bulge at the front of the guard.
The sword was issued to Staff Sergeant Ronald Gervers of the Royal Engineers. Ronald Gervers was awarded a battlefield commission to 2nd Lieutenant on the 19th April 1915, at which time the sword was gifted to him and his name was engraved on the rear of the beaked quillon.
A month before his promotion to Lieutenant, on the 10th March 1915, Ronald Gervers was a passenger onboard the Lucitania, sailing from New York to Liverpool. The Lucitania was sunk by a German U-Boat on the 7th May, 1915 with the loss of 1,195 of the 1,959 souls on board.
Lt. Ronald Julius Warnher Gervers (1887 - 1960) was awarded the Military Cross in France in 1916 and ended his military career as a Captain in Military Intelligence.
The 820mm single-edged blade has a slightly rounded belly and spine with a short central fuller on both sides. The blade is double-edged for the last 120mm and terminates in a spear point. The last 120mm of the blade was service sharpened and retains its fighting edges. The robust, staff sergeant’s pattern fighting blade is in very good condition. The 1889 staff sergeants’ blade differs from that of the officer’s 1897 pattern by being heavier and stiffer. It was designed to withstand a testing pressure of 30lbs, opposed to the 22lbs for the officer’s 1897 pattern.
Interestingly for an issued sword, the blade has been etched. The etching is basic and shows foliate scrollwork above and below the crowned cypher of King George V.
The ricasso is etched with the maker’s mark of Sanderson Brothers & Newbould Ltd., Sheffield. The obverse ricasso is stamped with a crowned Enfield inspection mark and crossed flags proof mark.
The scarce variant, plated steel guard is in excellent condition and bears the royal cypher of King George V. The front of the guard has a large domed bulge. The rear of the beaked quillon has been “trench art” engraved with the name, R. Gervers, R. E. The shagreen wrapped grip is in excellent condition and the three strands of twisted wire are intact and tight.
The sword is complete with its brown leather covered field service scabbard. The scabbard is in very good condition. The sword sheathes and draws smoothly and is held firmly in the scabbard.
This is an excellent example of a scarce 1898 pattern Staff Sergeant’s sword with a great back story with scope for further research.
£495.00
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