Constabulary short swords were standard issue in the mid-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 removal of an earlier locking catch and its replacement with a more standardised mechanism suggests that this sword was made in the early 1850s.
The 552mm 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 195mm. The blade is in good condition with some shallow pitting at the point and a slight kink in the final section. The hanger was made prior to the use of locking catches and was fitted with an early style of catch. The earlier style was later removed and replaced with the standardised mechanism.
The brass guard has a “D” shaped knuckle bow with disk quillon and stepped oval pommel through which the tang is peened. The front of the D-guard is stamped with a partial maker’s mark for Parker, Field & Sons of 233 Holborn, London. Later examples of their work had the famous Parker Field & Sons logo on the forte of the blade.
The contoured wooden grip is wrapped with shagreen. The grip is in very good condition with minor age and use related wear. The blade is firm in the hilt.
The hanger is complete with its black leather scabbard with brass locket and chape. The scabbard is in reasonable to good condition. The sword sheathes and draws smoothly and is held firmly within the scabbard by the catch.
This is a good example of a mid-19th Century Victorian police or prison wardens.
