This British 1850 pattern Royal Artillery officer’s sword is essentially the same as the 1821 pattern Light Cavalry sword and was made by Pillin during the reign of King George V.
The 884mm single-edged blade has a thick, flat spine with a wide single fuller on both sides and tapers to a spear point. The blade has a 320mm upper false edge. The spine is approximately 9mm thick at the ricasso and the blade is 30mm wide. This is a robust fighting sword. The blade is in very good condition with a few small patches of pale tarnish. The blade is cleanly etched with foliate scrollwork and arches surrounding the winged lightning bolts of the Royal Artillery. The obverse of the blade is etched with scrollwork and the crowned royal cypher of King George V above a field gun and the motto “Ubique.”
The ricasso bears a brass stud associated with the Pillin family of sword makers. The last member of the family to use this proof stud was Septimus john Pillin, who used this stud from 1881 until 1922 when his business was absorbed into the Wilkinson Sword Company. The obverse ricasso bears the cutler’s details, “Austin & Oaker. Maddox St. London. W.”
The three-bar guard is in good condition with small areas of mild tarnish. The shagreen grip is excellent and the three strands of twisted wire are intact and tight.
The sword is complete with its brown, wood and leather field scabbard. The scabbard is in good condition. The sword sheathes and draws well and is held firmly within the scabbard.
This is a good example of a WW1 period artillery officer’s sword by a top English maker.
