1857 Pattern Royal Engineers Driver’s Sword

THIS IS AN INTERESTING SWORD and the only British Army pattern sword that was not actually British, both in its origin and manufacture.  It is first highlighted by T. J.W. Connolly in his work, History of the Royal Sappers and Miners (1855), where he refers to a specific sword carried by Royal Engineers’ drivers:

“…a light Prussian sword, having half-basket hilts and buff leather tassels.  The grip was partly of japanned wood ridged; all else with the Scabbard, steel”.

Connolly refers to the sword as being “light” which seems rather incongruous as it is quite a substantial piece when held in the hand.

These swords were originally produced in Germany by Schnitzler & Kirschbaum of Solingen, for trials with the Prussian Army (Guard Hussar Regiment) in 1849-1850.  These trials were ultimately unsuccessful, with the regiment adopting the new Model 1852 Cavalry Trooper’s Sword.  This left the company with a stock of trial swords to dispose of and it is thought that they were sold through the Liege market where British Board of

Ordnance inspectors were based, who no doubt subsequently purchased the batch for an acceptable price.  The blades of these swords are curved and flat-backed, with a broad, single fuller to within 9 inches of the point, where it becomes double-edged.  Many have British Army “sold out of service” stamps of opposing arrows.  Grips are covered in ribbed leather over a wooden core. 

© Harvey Withers Military Publishing, 2024

Taken from The British Sword – From 1600 to the Present Day – An Illustrated History by Harvey J S Withers – 12,000 full colour photographs – 884 pages

For more details please click on the images.