This Royal Field Artillery Officer’s sword was made by Septimus John Pillin in 1908. Pillin was a renowned blade smith working in London from 1881 to 1912 before being absorbed into the Wilkinson Sword Company.
The 89cm single edged blade has a flat spine and wide single fuller on both sides, tapering to a spear point. The blade is finely etched on one side with the winged lightning bolts of the Royal Artillery, extensive floral scroll-work and the owner’s initials “NTW.” The other side of the blade is etched with floral scroll-work surrounding the flaming grenade and cannon motif of the Royal Field Artillery and the inscription “3RD East Lancashire R. F. A.”
The ricasso is etched with the retailer’s name “Hobson & Sons 1, 3 & 5 Lexington Street, Golden Square, London, W.” The obverse ricasso bears Pillin’s brass proof stud.
3rd East Lancashire Brigade, Royal Field Artillery (Bolton Artillery) was formed in 1908 and was one of the first Territorial Force Divisions to be posted overseas at the beginning of World War 1. They sailed for Egypt on 10th September 1914. They saw regular action against the Turkish Army while protecting the Suez Canal before being ordered to Gallipoli on the 1st May 1915.
The 3rd East Lancashire Brigade was withdrawn from Gallipoli in February 1916 and returned to combat in Egypt. In February, 1917 they embarked for France. They remained in France for the rest of the war, fighting in the first and second battles of the Somme, the battles of the Hindenburg Line and the final advance into Picardy.
The blade is in over-all good condition with patches of mild tarnish. The etching is of high quality and remains clear. The blade is firm in the hilt.
The 3-bar steel hilt is in in good condition with only minor loss to the plating. The fish skin grip is in excellent condition as is the twisted wire binding. The steel back strap has a raised cross-hatch grip with a stepped pommel and rounded tang nut.
The brown leather covered service scabbard in in good condition and remains strong with the stitching intact. There are minor age and use related scuffs and marks and the leather frog strap is missing. The sword sheaths and draws well and is held firmly in the scabbard.
This is a fine example of a WW1 Field Artillery officer’s sword from a Brigade with a prestigious WW1 history. The sword bears all the information required to research its owner and his military record.
