This is a rare Victorian 1857 pattern Royal Engineer staff sergeant’s sword. The P1857 was carried exclusively by officers and staff sergeants of the Royal Engineers and was in use for only a short period. In 1900, new Army Dress Regulations required the Royal Engineers to adopt the standard 1897 infantry pattern sword. The officers’ swords are scarce. Staff sergeants’ swords are rare. This excellent sword was made Robert Mole of Birmingham, England.
The 828mm, slightly curved blade has a wide fuller on both sides below a flat spine. The blade has a 300mm upper false edge and terminates in a spear point. The blade is beautifully etched with foliate scrollwork, Queen Victoria’s crowned Royal cypher and “Royal Engineers.” The long ricasso is etched with a rayed star around a circle upon which is stamped the War Department arrow and WD above a Birmingham inspection mark. A second Birmingham inspection stamp and a bend test X are stamped at the base of the ricasso.
The obverse of the blade bears foliate scrollwork and the winged thunderbolt motif. The obverse ricasso is etched with the makers’ details, “RobT Mole & Sons, Makers. Birmingham.” The base of the ricasso bears three issue dates, 1898, 1899 & 1900 and the accompanying crowned Enfield inspection stamps.
The spine of the blade is stamped with two inspection stamps, the letters R and J and the MOLE makers’ mark.
The brass, acanthus leaf guard is in very good condition. The brass back strap has the crosshatched thumb rest and pommel characteristic of the Engineers pattern sword. The shagreen grip is in excellent condition and the three strands of copper wire are intact and tight.
The front of the guard is stamped with 16 over 9 over 87 which might be a date although dates are not usually marked in this style on military swords. The rear of the quillon bears the date 7, 1889, presumably the swords’ first issue. The blade is firm in the hilt.
This is a great and rare example of a Royal Engineer staff sergeants’ sword.
