A rare and much sought after Victorian 1857 pattern Royal Engineers sword made by Pilin between 1893 and 1899. Not many 1857 pattern Engineer’s swords were produced with the 1892 pattern thrusting blade. Army Dress Regulations did not require Officers of Engineers to adopt the 1892 pattern. The Royal Engineers were also excluded from Army Order 4 of the 1st January 1896 requiring all other branches of the army to adopt the new P1895 steel three-quarter bowl guard.
In 1900, new Army Dress Regulations required Royal Engineers officers to adopt the standard 1897 infantry pattern sword.
The 835mm thrusting blade is of dumbbell form, having a symmetrical cross section with a flat spine and belly and a short, broad central fuller. The blade becomes wedge shaped for approximately two-thirds of its length and terminates in a narrow spear point. The 1892 blade is the ultimate thrusting design and its use continues today with the current, 1897 pattern hilt.
The blade is beautifully and deeply etched with foliate and ribboned scrollwork encompassing Queen Victoria’s crowned Royal cypher above crossed laurel and palm fronds. Scrolled roses surmount the Royal Arms; a lion and unicorn rampant with crowned shield and the motto “Dieu et Mon Droit.”
The obverse bears the winged lightning bolts and the words “1st Sussex Engineer Volunteers.” All encompassed by extensive foliate scrollwork. A cartouche contains the monogram of the owner.
The ricasso bears the cutler’s details, “Hobson & Sons. 1-3 & 5, Lexington St. London W.” The obverse bears a Pillin brass proof disc.
The blade is in very good condition with crisp etching. There are patches of cleaned shallow pitting at the point on one side and two-thirds down the blade on the other side. This is clean and stable.
The brass, acanthus leaf guard is in good condition with minor use related marks. The guard retains its gilding, as do the back strap and pommel. The shagreen wrapped grip is in great condition and the wire binding is intact and tight. The blade is firm in the hilt.
The sword is complete with its original steel scabbard with two suspension rings. The scabbard is in good condition with small areas of pale tarnish and a small ding below the second suspension band. The sword sheathes and draws smoothly and is held firmly within the scabbard.
This is a great example of a rare 1892 bladed variant of the hard to find Royal Engineers pattern sword.
