This fantastic 1908 pattern cavalry trooper’s sword was made at the Enfield factory in January 1915 and was issued during WW1. The sword is in excellent condition.
The 890mm blade has a flat spine above a long, narrow fuller and terminates in a narrow spear point. This thrusting blade is considered to be one of the best cavalry blades ever used. The blade is bright and clean and in excellent condition. The ricasso is marked with a War Department arrow, Enfield factory maker’s mark (EFD), a bend test mark and Enfield factory inspection stamps. The obverse ricasso is stamped with the manufacture date of January 1915, a re-issue date of 1916 and three Enfield stamps. The spine is stamped with the pattern designation, P ’08.
The front of the plated steel bowl guard is marked with the War Department arrow, the Wilkinson Sword Company (WSC) makers mark (Wilkinson made the guard, the blade and assembly were done at the Enfield factory) and an Enfield inspection stamp. The bowl guard is in excellent condition. The composite grip has the Roman numerals; III, V, I, VI (3,5,1,6) cut into it. I am not sure what this represents. The beaked quillon of the guard bears two issue numbers, 177 and 350 (both cancelled).
The steel scabbard is in great condition. The back edge is stamped with an Enfield inspection stamp, production date of 1916, Broad Arrow, makers mark and the numeral 1*. The throat of the scabbard is marked with an Enfield inspection stamp and the date, 1916.
This is an excellent example of the last cavalry sword designed for the British military, a pattern still in ceremonial use today.
