This scarce sword is a prototype of the 1882 pattern for cavalry.
In 1878, Robert Mole & Son of Birmingham was commissioned to develop a replacement for the unpopular 1864 pattern. The sword was to be lighter than the previous pattern and the guard to have rolled edges to reduce uniform wear. A new, lighter scabbard was also requested.
The result was the 1880 experimental pattern. A total of 800 of the earlier 1864 pattern swords were converted by Mole and issued for trial.
The 1880 experimental pattern met with mixed reviews and further modifications were suggested, resulting in two new official patterns. The 1882 short and 1882 long, the two patterns differing only in the length of their blades and scabbards.
This sword is one of the original 800 conversions, complete with its experimental pattern scabbard. The blade was later shortened by the Wilkinson Sword Company to convert it to an 1882 short pattern.
The 840mm (33 inch) single-edged blade has a flat spine above a single fuller and terminates in a spear point with an upper false edge. The blade is in great condition and was sharpened for trials. The ricasso is stamped with the name, WILKINSON. The name, MOLE is almost illegible on the spine, presumably having been removed by Wilkinson when they shortened the blade. No other stamps are present. The lack of pattern designation, Factory inspection and government ownership and issue stamps supports this sword being an early experimental model.
The steel bowl guard has rolled edges and a lanyard slot at the top. The guard is in great condition with a small patch of very shallow (cleaned) pitting above the Maltese Cross. The guard is without stamps or markings. The knurled leather grip scales are fixed firmly in place and are in good condition.
The sword is complete with its Mole experimental pattern scabbard. This pattern of scabbard was later adopted as the official pattern for the 1882 cavalry sword.
The rolled steel scabbard has twin fixed suspension loops on the back edge. This is a major departure from the bands and loose rings on earlier scabbards. Each of the fixed loops is stamped with MOLE PATENT. The removable scabbard mouth (another departure from the fixed mouth on previous scabbards) is also stamped MOLE PATENT. No pattern designation, inspection or ownership stamps are present, as is to be expected from an experimental example not yet officially accepted as a regulation pattern by the War Office.
The scabbard is in good condition with some very shallow (cleaned) pitting and three small shallow dings. The sword sheathes and draws smoothly.
This is a scarce and great example of an experimental model of the 1882 short pattern cavalry sword.
£650.00
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