Constabulary short swords were standard issue in the 19th Century for members of the British police and prison wardens.
The presence of a locking catch dates this hanger to post-1850. Around 1850, the locking catch was added after a number of incidents in which police officers and prison wardens had their swords snatched out of the scabbards and turned against them.
The 590mm broad, curved blade has a flat spine above a long single fuller on both sides. The fuller continues almost to the spear point. The blade is double-edged for the last 185mm. The edge was service sharpened. The blade is in good condition with minor sharpening scratches and small patches of pale tarnish.
The brass guard has a “D” shaped knuckle bow with disk quillon and stepped oval pommel through which the tang is peened. The quillon is stamped with three dots in an inverted pyramid over VV over SSB. The centre of the crosspiece has a press-stud locking catch. The catch is in good working order.
The contoured grip is wrapped with shagreen. The grip is in very good condition and the blade is firm in the hilt.
The sword is complete with its original leather covered wooden scabbard with brass locket and chape. The locket and chape have minor use-related shallow dings. The leather of the scabbard is in very good condition and the seam is intact. The sword sheathes and draws smoothly and is held firmly within the scabbard by the locking catch.
This is a very good example of an early Victorian British constabulary short sword.
