British P1827 Royal Navy Officer’s Sword by Wilkinson
The 79 cm straight blade has a narrow single fuller on both sides with a flat spine tapering to a false edge and spear point.
The blade is etched with a Georgian crown and the Royal Navy fouled anchor motif between fouled oak leaves and acorns. The obverse of the blade is etched with Queen Elizabeth II Royal cypher amidst fouled oak boughs. The blade is clean and bright with a few small areas of tarnish.
The ricasso is marked with the Royal Warrant and “By Appointment to the Late King George VI,” above “Wilkinson Sword Ltd. Made in England” which dates the sword to around 1952/3, shortly after King George VI death and before Queen Elizabeth awarded her own Royal Warrant to the Wilkinson Company. The obverse ricasso bears an etched Wilkinson proof mark. The spine is stamped with Wilkinson’s order number “76445.” The number on the spine can be used to establish who this sword was made for.
The blade is firm in the hilt.
The solid half-basket hilt is made of brass and remains in excellent condition. The bowl of the guard bears the Georgian crown and fouled anchor of the Royal Navy. The inner folding guard is in perfect working order and mates nicely with the pin on the scabbard.
The front of the guard has two holes through which a silver bullion sword knot can be attached.
The mane of the highly detailed lion head pommel forms the back strap and the “D” guard extends from below the lion’s mouth. The attention to detail is excellent.
The ray skin grip is also of the highest quality and in very good condition. The twisted copper wire wrap is in excellent condition.
The brass mounted black leather scabbard is original to the sword and is in great condition. There is a crease in the leather below the middle brass mount. The sword sheaths and draws well and is held firmly.
