Engraving on sword - British & Commonwealth Military Badge Forum

Peter Brydon · #1 23-05-12, 04:39 PM

Recently acquired a sword by Henry Wilkinson, numbered 40290 on the back of the blade which I think dates to around 1900 or just after. I will be getting a search done by the person who now owns the Wilkinson archives but in the meantime there is a strange crest on one side of the blade which to me look eastern and on the other side there are some initials ( H.A. ? ) under a crown.

I wonder if anyone has any thoughts ? Thanks in advance.

P.B.

Eddie Parks · #2 23-05-12, 08:04 PM

Well - the hilt looks like the 1822 light cavalry sword, worn more recently by the Royal Artillery. The badge is - I think - Egyptian. So Egyptian Artillery officer?

It's a nice thing - I'd be very pleased to see it in my collection.

Eddie

#3 23-05-12, 08:19 PM

Yes Eddie. I agree with you in being Egyptian, and of the Kingdom period. I've attached a badge and button of similar design. The HA together with the crown are possibly the monarch or some royal cipher or possibly the regiment the officer was from. I doubt that HA stood for Heavy Artillery though! Maybe the A stands for Askerya or however it's spelt in English.
Rgds,
button_guru
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Peter Brydon · #4 23-05-12, 08:24 PM

Thanks Eddie and BG,

It certainly looks as if the item has some connection with Egypt, I will let you know the result of a search of the Wilkinson Archive.

Peter

zob · #5 23-05-12, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 8thfoot

Thanks Eddie and BG,

It certainly looks as if the item has some connection with Egypt, I will let you know the result of a search of the Wilkinson Archive.

Peter

Hello Peter,

Could it be A H: HH Khedive Abbas Helmi II 1892 – 1914.

Best regards,
Zob.

Peter Brydon · #6 24-05-12, 06:10 AM

Thanks Zob,

I have to say that before yesterday I knew nothing about the Egyptian Army at this period, I think you may very well be right.It will be very interesting to see who the sword was made for.

Peter

Peter Brydon · #7 24-05-12, 02:00 PM

I have now heard from the owner of the Wilkinson Archive who has given me the following information ( for which I am very grateful )

"it was one of 25 swords for the Egyptian Army in 1904. We have a purchaser’s name but he would have been acting for someone else ."

Thanks to Eddie, BG and Zob who were spot on.

Peter