A rare and much sought after steel hilted variant of the 1857 pattern Royal Engineers sword bearing an heirloom fighting blade made by Henry Wilkinson in 1854. This fighting sword was the property of Major Mortimer Durant Whitmore of the Royal Engineers. The swords’ scabbard sustained damage from a bullet strike during an engagement with the Beja in Northern Sudan in 1882.
British forces occupied Egypt in 1882 to safeguard the Suez Canal and British financial interests. This invasion led to further intervention in the neighbouring Sudan, where British, Egyptian and Indian troops fought two bitter wars against rebellious Islamic tribesmen in hostile desert conditions.
The 905mm, single edged blade has a wide fuller on both sides below a flat spine. The slightly curved blade terminates in a spear point. The fighting blade measures 30mm wide at the ricasso and is un-etched. The edge was service sharpened and the blade is double-edged for the final 260mm. The ricasso bears the prestigious brass proof stud of Henry Wilkinson. The spine bears the Wilkinson serial number 5099, dating the blade to 1854, the year that the Wilkinson Sword Co. began marking their swords with serial numbers.
The blade is in excellent condition.
The steel, acanthus leaf guard is in very good condition. Steel hilted variants of the 1857 pattern are rare. Steel guards were a purchase option at the time of ordering, and a better choice for an active service sword, the steel guard offering better protection than the usual, softer brass guards. The steel back strap and knurled pommel are in good condition with minor age-related patches of tarnish. The shagreen wrapped grip is in good condition and the twisted wire is intact. 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 a mild age patina and speckles of tarnish. The lower section of the scabbard has an elongated dent and rip as a result of a bullet strike. The sword is accompanied by a hand written label (written by Major M. D. Whitmore) stating that “My sword saved me serious injury to my leg, having an encounter with the Hadendra Beja in the Sudan.” The sword sheathes and draws smoothly and is held firmly within the scabbard.
This is a great example of a rare, steel hilted Royal Engineers sword with battlefield provenance and an early Wilkinson serial numbered blade.
Mortimer Durant Whitmore. Lieutenant, 13-1-1869; Captain, 1-7-1881; Major, 1-4-1888. War Service: Egypt, 1882. Died at Deal, Kent on 29-8-1892.
£1,395.00
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