Thread: Sword Research
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Old 11-05-17, 07:46 AM
Kevin Elliott Kevin Elliott is offline
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Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Isle of Wight
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Hi there,

That sword is a pattern 1822 Gothic hilted sword with pipe-back or quill-back blade. The cypher undoubtedly is from the era of William 4th but the previous ones I've seen have the IV superimposed on the initials WR, so yours is unusual. I think I see flaming grenades, which may be an artillery variation? Later artillery officers had their own pattern, whereas this is typically an Infantry officers sword.
You see plenty with Victorian cypher but Wiliam ones are pretty scarce.
As to scabbard condition, you're lucky that the leather has survived at all. A nice sword.
I've not encountered swords with their manufacture date shown, so would suggest that the date relates to the officer's commission or similar?
Kind regards,

Kevin.
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