Now here's a mystery sword
 

I've just come across a mystery sword. Now this is something that you would normally discard with a sigh as a lovely British Pat 1908 Cavalry sword that has been butchered for some unknown reason. The blade (and scabbard) has been reduced by about 20cms, the hilt bowl cut down drastically and the heavy counterweight pommel replaced by a simple nut and bolt.

BUT ... I know of 3 other identical examples, one of which is in a military museum. And if you look carefully at the hilt markings you'll see the letters TJFF and a series of numbers which appear to me to have been applied after the butchery.

So what's going on!

And another pic

Reduced in length etc for trench use?
Are the initials anything to do with Felix Joubert?

Perhaps modified for use by the Trans-Jordan Frontier Force in a dismounted role??

Tim

I don't think the Transjordan Frontier Force would have seen many trenches?

That's where I think I am going,

Possibly not, but then the initials didn't scream Transjordan Frontier Force at me.
Why for would these swords for Transjordan Frontier Force be shortened? Is it a case of being used by personnel on foot? Presumably not a case of adapting broken blades for continued use?

Certainly the photo is not the best, but all four versions clearly show TJFF. And all are in Jordan at the moment. I rather suspect we are looking at post 1948 Arab Legion reuse, possibly for the police. BUT I am guessing.

Clear enough photos - I just didn't know what the initials meant.