This scarce 1834 pattern Second Life Guards full dress sword dates to around 1850. Full dress swords were worn at levees (balls) and in drawing rooms and similar social functions.
The 820mm single-edged blade is of regulation form, having a flat spine above a broad single fuller. The blade terminates in a spear point. The blade is unmarked and in very good condition with speckled tarnish on the lower half.
The regulation boat-shell hilt resembles the 1796 pattern heavy cavalry dress swords, but differs in having a vase-shaped tang button on the rounded pommel and lacking a cross-bar quillon. The rearward section of the boat-shell guard also extends along the knuckle bow.
The wooden grip is wrapped with twisted copper wire that has lost its silvered finish. The twisted wire is intact and tight. The hilt retains most of its original gilt finish and is in excellent condition. The blade is firm in the hilt.
This is a very fine example of a scarce 2nd Life Guards full dress sword.
