The British army has had several patterns of saw-back bayonets but only one saw-back sword. The pattern 1856 infantry Pioneers’ short sword (hanger) was issued to the Pioneers within each infantry battalion.
Each British infantry battalion had a ten-man squad of Pioneers, under the command of a corporal or sergeant. Their main tasks were to travel in advance of the main army, to clear the way and to undertake and supervise heavy construction work. The Pioneers were an early form of combat engineers.
Besides being a weapon, the saw-back sword was robust enough to replace the axes and hand saws usually carried by the Pioneers. The short, heavy blade could be used as both a saw and a machete and was of particular use when cutting brush to clear a field of fire and for clearing bivouac areas.
The 574mm blade has 27 pairs of saw teeth, extending for 390mm from the ricasso. The blade is double-edged for the last 165mm and terminates in a spear point.
The ricasso is stamped with the War Department arrow and WD, a bend test X and two Wilkinson factory inspectors stamps. The obverse ricasso bears the fabrication date of 7 ‘91 (July 1891) and the Wilkinson Sword Company maker’s mark. The blade is in fair condition with 3 patches of pitting (2 on one side and 1 on the obverse). The blade has been cleaned and treated and is free of rust
The blades’ full width tang is hilted with ribbed brass grip scales, held in place by four steel rivets. The thick brass stirrup guard has a short, flat ball quillon, which is stamped with the unit markings of the 2nd (volunteer) Battalion, The Suffolk Regiment and the issue date of September 1895.
The sword is complete with its brass mounted leather scabbard. The scabbard is in fair to good condition. The leather is strong and the stitching is intact and tight. There has been a repair to the bottom of the scabbard above the chape. The sword sheathes and draws smoothly and is held firmly within the scabbard.
This is a fair example of a scarce British 1856 pattern pioneers short sword.
