This British 1845/54 pattern infantry officer’s sword was made by Septimus John Pillin and retailed by Hobson & Sons, of London. The sword was owned by an officer in the Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding) Regiment.
The 830mm single-edged blade has a flat spine above a broad single fuller and is the Wilkinson 1845 pattern. The blade is double-edged for the last 250mm and terminates in a spear point.
The blade is in very good to excellent condition and is etched with foliate panels above 2nd V. B. (Volunteer Battalion) and ribbons with the wording “West Riding Regiment.” A scrolled cartouche contains the calligraphic monogram of the owner. The obverse of the blade is etched with foliate scrollwork and arches surrounding the crowned cypher of Queen Victoria. The forte bears the Royal Coat of Arms.
The ricasso is etched with the cutler’s name and address: “Hobson & Sons. 1, 3 & 5, Lexington Street, London.” The obverse ricasso bears a proof stud associated with the maker Septimus John Pillin, of whom Hobson & Sons were a known customer.
The barred, gothic guard is the fixed, 1854 regulation pattern without the earlier folding section. The guard bears the Royal cypher of Queen Victoria above the Flowers of Union – the rose, thistle and shamrock and is in over-all very good condition.
The ray skin hilt is in great condition. The three strands of silver wire are intact. The hilt’s back strap has acanthus style decoration flowing into the stepped pommel with a flattened tang button. The blade is firm in the hilt.
The sword is complete with its silver plated scabbard with a silver throat and two suspension rings. The scabbard is in very good condition. The sword sheathes and draws smoothly and is held firmly within the scabbard.
This is an excellent example of a British 1845/54 infantry officer’s fighting sword marked to the 2nd Volunteer Battalion of the prestigious Duke of Wellington’s West Riding Regiment.
