This British 1821/56 pattern Artillery officer’s sword bears the owners’ initials, “R. B. D.” and is marked to the 3rd Battalion of the Durham Volunteer Artillery. Adding interest, the blade bears the strung horn of the Rifles. The Durham Volunteer Rifle Corps was formed on the 28th November, 1859 in response to the perceived threat of invasion from the continent. At a meeting of the Volunteer Rifle Corps on 5th December 1859, the Chairman proposed that a volunteer artillery corps also be raised. The meeting having agreed to this, a motion was put forward that “the memorialists (volunteers) be recommended to join the Rifle Corps until the Artillery Corps be formed.”
The 3rd Durham Artillery Volunteers was formed on 14th March, 1860. The battalion fielded 1 Captain, 2 Lieutenants, 4 Sergeants, 4 Corporals and 58 Gunners, giving a total strength of 66 men.
It is likely that the owner of this sword had originally volunteered for the Rifles and after ordering his sword decided to move to the artillery. The etching for the Durham Artillery Volunteers was then added to the blade spine and the blade hilted for the artillery instead of the rifles.
In 1899 the battalion was renamed as the 3rd Durham Royal Garrison Artillery (Vols). This enables the dating of the sword to between 1860 and 1899.
The 828mm blade is single edged with a flat spine over a broad, three-quarter length single fuller. The slightly curved blade terminates in a spear point. The blade is double-edged for the final 280mm. The blade retains its service sharpened edges. The spine bears the etching, “R. B. D. 3RD DURHAM ARTY VOLS.
The blade is etched with arches over a rayed crown and the strung horn of the Rifles. Below this are crossed laurel and palm fronds and crossed lances with flags. The ricasso bears a brass proof stud within an etched flower. The proof stud shows a Fleur-de-Lys below the word PROVED. The obverse is similarly etched and has an un-etched shield below the rayed crown.
The blade is in excellent condition with only a few small spots of tarnish.
The three-bar steel guard is in good condition. The shagreen covered grip is also in good condition. The three strands of copper wire binding are intact and tight. The blade is firm in the hilt.
The sword is complete with its polished steel scabbard with twin suspension rings. The scabbard is in great condition. The sword sheathes and draws smoothly and is held firmly within the scabbard.
This is a very nice example of a Victorian Artillery officer’s sword marked to the 3rd Battalion Durham Artillery Volunteers.
