British 1895 Patterns Drummer’s/Bugler’s Sword

THIS PATTERN FOLLOWED THE 1856 Pattern Drummer’s (or Bugler’s) Sword (MKI) and is simply a reduction and refinement of the previous pattern.  The blade is of the same type as the MKI but was reduced in length and width.  The pommel was changed to display a rounded profile and the hilt ecusson with the monarch’s cypher remained.  Scabbards were just a smaller version of the earlier pattern.

The sword mounts were either brass or cast iron, with brass-hilted swords for drummers and bandsmen of the infantry and the iron hilt for rifle regiments.  Regimental abbreviations are commonly found on the pommel and to the side of the grip. 

Interestingly, an order was given in 1901 for all of these band swords to be sharpened for active service.  It might have been a reaction to the current war in South Africa (Second Boer War – 1899-1902), but this now greatly reduced “weapon” would have been practically useless if used in combat, except as a form of long dagger.

© 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.