This British P1861 infantry staff sergeant’s sword was made by Robert Mole of Birmingham.
The Queen’s (Royal West Surrey Regiment). This was the senior line infantry regiment of the English Army. The regiment had three volunteer battalions, the 1st, 2nd and 3rd, all of them rifle corps that served alongside the regular army battalions.
3rd volunteer battalion served alongside the regular force in South Africa from 1900 to 1902 receiving battle honours for their actions during the Second Boer War (1899–1902). The battalion received a public welcome and reception in Guilford upon their return from South Africa.
The 825mm single-edged blade has a flat spine (the 1866 staff sergeant's pattern had a rounded spine) above a broad single fuller on both sides and is otherwise almost identical to the Wilkinson 1845 pattern. The blade has a 280mm upper false edge and terminates in a spear point.
The un-etched, Sergeant’s blade is in excellent condition. This is a robust fighting sword, the spine being 9mm thick at the ricasso and 28mm wide. The spine is marked with two Birmingham inspection stamps and the maker’s name. “Mole.” Robert Mole of Birmingham was a renowned British maker of swords and bayonets for the military.
The ricasso is stamped with the War Department ownership mark and two Birmingham inspection marks. The obverse is plain.
The barred and fixed gothic guard is the 1845 pattern. The brass guard bears the Royal cypher of Queen Victoria and is in good condition. There is some slight distortion to the outer bar consistent with use.
The ray skin hilt is in excellent condition. The three strands of twisted copper wire are intact and tight. 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 matching black leather and brass mounted scabbard with two suspension rings. The scabbard is in good condition with a minor repair above the chape. The leather is stamped with a crowned inspection mark and date and the stitching is intact and strong. The locket is stamped with the Mole maker’s name and the mouthpiece bears a matching regimental stamp and date. The sword sheathes and draws smoothly and is held firmly within the scabbard.
This is a fine example of a Victorian infantry sergeant’s fighting sword by a top English maker.
