This Victorian Rifle officer’s sword was made between 1878 and 1898.
The 834mm straight, single-edged blade is a late Victorian example of the 1845 “Wilkinson” pattern. Earlier 1845 pattern blades were slightly curved. The blade has a flat spine above a broad single fuller and tapers to a double-edged spear point. The spine is 7mm thick and the blade is 28mm wide at the ricasso. The swords’ point of balance is 135mm forward of the guard. The blade is in very good condition with minimal age and use related marks.
The blade is etched with Queen Victoria’s crowned royal cipher amidst foliate scrollwork panels. The obverse of the blade has the Rifle Brigade’s strung horn. There are two very small losses to the plating along the edge above the crown of Queen Victoria’s cypher and the ribboned horn on the obverse. The ricasso is etched with the cutler’s details, “Samuel Brothers. Outfitters. 65 & 67 Ludgate Hill. London.” The Samuel Brothers traded from these premises between 1878 to 1898.
The obverse ricasso bears a proof stud containing the letter P below “PROVED.”
The Gothic steel guard is in very good condition and incorporates an oval cartouche containing the crowned, strung horn badge of the Rifle Regiment. The guard is bright and rust free. The shagreen grip is in excellent condition and the three strands of copper wire intact and tight. The blade is firm in the hilt.
The sword is complete with its steel scabbard with two suspension rings. The scabbard is in good condition with one small ding below the second ring band and two ting dings lower down on the forward edge. The sword sheathes and draws smoothly from the scabbard.
This is a good example of a late Victorian Rifle officers.
