British 19th Century Prison and Police Swords

THE REQUIREMENT FOR PRISON and Police Officers to carry a sword or sidearm appears to have become more common in the first half of the 19th Century and most existing examples date from the 1820’s until the end of the century.  They normally comprise a sword of short or hanger proportions, with a brass or steel hilt and D-shaped knucklebow.  Grips are wrapped in either fishskin or leather and pommels are stepped or flattened.

The blade is slightly curved and double-fullered, double-edged towards the point.  Scabbards are black leather with plain brass mounts.

Police sword blades are commonly seen with etched details of the constabulary force and the Officer’s number.  The sword making company of Parker & Field of London (1783-1886) produced a large number of Police swords and their name is frequently seen on these blades.

© 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

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