BRITISH 1892 PATTERN R.A.M.C. OFFICER’S SWORD – Medical officers in the British Army carried the official infantry officer pattern swords (1822 and 1845) until 1892, when they adopted a similar infantry officer’s sword, comprising a pierced brass “Gothic” hilt with royal crown and cypher in a cartouche. They carried this sword until 1934, when the Royal Army Medical Corps finally followed in line with standard infantry patterns and wore the 1897 Pattern Infantry Officer’s Sword. These swords are easy to identify as they carry the royal cypher of King Edward VII (r.1901-1910) and King George V (r.1910-1936).
BRITISH 1908 PATTERN CAVALRY TROOPER’S SWORD – Both the 1908 and 1912 Pattern Swords have long been regarded as the epitome of British sword design. The military authorities believed that they had finally produced a regulation sword whose effectiveness in combat could not be doubted. It is therefore a massive irony that both patterns were introduced when the use of the sword in the battlefield had become almost irrelevant, barring a few notable engagements during WW1, particularly in Palestine. Despite this, the obsession within the British Army to arm their combatants with swords was as strong as ever in the 1900‘s, despite mounting evidence that future wars would be fought with machine guns and heavy artillery.
BRITISH 1912 PATTERN CAVALRY OFFICER’S SWORD – It was inevitable that the success of the 1908 Pattern Cavalry Trooper’s Sword would prompt an officer’s version and this duly appeared in 1912. Virtually identical to the 1908 Pattern in specifications, it incorporated decorative styling to the bowl guard and an etched blade. The bowl guard has a “honeysuckle” design based on the open, pierced hilt of the 1896 Pattern Cavalry Officer’s Sword.
BRITISH 1900 PATTERN NAVAL SEAMAN’S CUTLASS – The 1900 Pattern Naval Seaman’s Cutlass retained the straight blade of the previous 1889 Pattern but introduced a fuller that ran to one-third of the blade length. It also substituted the traditional iron grip that had been used on pattern cutlasses since 1804, with a chequered leather grip made up of two pieces of leather riveted to the tang. This pattern of cutlass was taken out of service in 1936 and was no longer to be issued for use by landing parties but was to be retained for ceremonial use, with numbers being limited to 20 for each ship with more than 500 personnel and 10 for ships below that figure. It is generally accepted that the cutlass last saw combat service around 1900, during the Boxer Rebellion.
884 pages – 12,000 full colour images of British swords – hardback – hand sewn pages
BRITISH 1803 PATTERN INFANTRY OFFICER’S SWORD – By 1800, this particular type of curved sabre had already been unofficially adopted by many light infantry and rifle officers, and it was only a matter of time before official recognition came in 1803. The choice of a curved sabre, in contrast to the straight-bladed sword carried by most infantry officers at that time, (the 1796 Pattern Infantry Officer’s Sword) was a direct response to experience gained in previous conflicts such as the American Revolutionary War (1775-1783), where fighting in dense, closely packed wooded areas, called for a versatile sword that was not as rigid and cumbersome as the more
traditional infantry swords with their long and straight blades. There was also an element of elitism attached to this choice as officers of these regiments regarded themselves as distinct from standard regiments of the line and engaged in more daring and dangerous work.
BRITISH 1821 PATTERN ROYAL ARTILLERY OFFICER’S SWORD – This pattern of sword is identical to that carried by light cavalry officers (1821 Pattern Light Cavalry Officer’s Sword). It was introduced in the 1830’s, and adopted by both Royal Artillery and Royal Horse Artillery Officers. Prior to this, officers carried the standard 1786 and 1796 Pattern Infantry Officer’s Sword. A Regimental General Order of 1 June 1833 states that:
“ On no occasion will a Royal Horse Artillery Officer appear, whether in jacket, pelisse or frock coat, without his sword which shall be Regulation Cavalry with steel scabbard.”
This is interesting as there were actually two patterns of cavalry officer’s sword, comprising one for the light and one for the heavy cavalry branches, meaning that there was not a regulation or universal “Cavalry Sword” available at this time. Royal Artillery officers must have reasoned that the light cavalry version was probably the most suitable pattern to carry and so it was adopted.
BRITISH 1822 PATTERN INFANTRY OFFICER’S SWORD – The 1822 Pattern Infantry Officer’s Sword was a radical departure from previous British Army infantry sword patterns. Its distinctive half-basket hilt became the standard hilt type for British infantry officers’ swords until the end of the 19th Century. The 1822 Dress Regulations describes it as being:
“…a gilt half-basket, with GR IV inserted in the outward bars”.
Distinctive features of the sword include the so-called “Gothic” hilt, named as such after its apparent resemblance to the shapes of windows in Gothic architecture. It also had an inner guard that was hinged and could be folded down to sit comfortably against a uniform. The royal cypher was also inserted within an oval hilt
cartouche and during its lifetime, this pattern saw the
royal cypher of three monarchs (George IV, William IV and Victoria) placed within its hilt bars. Victorian examples are pretty common due to the monarch’s long reign and there are many interpretations of the royal cypher, including versions with both pierced and moulded “VR” cyphers. Earlier examples from the reign of George IV and William IV, who had relatively short reigns, tend to have hilts that are more delicately crafted than later Victorian pieces (c.1830’s) and display thinner hilt bars. Up until around 1835, there would also a requirement to have been a black leather hilt lining.
BRITISH 1827 PATTERN RIFLE OFFICER’S SWORD – The 1822 Dress Regulations stipulated that Rifle Officers carry the same sword as infantry officers with the proviso that they carry a steel scabbard for field service, relegating the black leather and gilt-brass-mounted scabbard for dress purposes. Rifle regiments had always prided themselves on being set apart from the “ordinary” infantry and this elitist attitude resulted in a desire to have their own distinctive pattern. This was duly realised in a Circular Memorandum issued by the Adjutant-General on 17 June 1827 that authorised the adoption of a steel-hilted sword of “Gothic” pattern. This became the 1827 Pattern Rifle Regiment Officer’s Sword.
BRITISH 1831 PATTERN GENERAL/STAFF OFFICER’S MAMELUKE SWORD – The introduction of the 1831 Pattern was heavily influenced by the Duke of Wellington who had been an early promoter of this design (following his service in India), carrying a mameluke type sword throughout the Napoleonic Wars. Wellington went on to become the Commander-in-Chief of the British Army in the 1820’s and 1840’s, and during his period of office, a new pattern for general officers, based on a mameluke design, was authorised.
BRITISH 1854 PATTERN FOOT GUARDS OFFICER’S SWORD – At the same time as the 1845 Pattern Infantry Officer’s sword experienced changes to the hilt design (in 1854), sword hilts carried by the Foot Guards also underwent a change in that year. The gilt brass infantry hilt was replaced with a steel hilt (later nickel-plated) and where, formerly, there had been a crowned royal cypher within a pierced cartouche, it was now replaced with a specific regimental badge, comprising those of the Grenadier, Scots, Coldstream, Irish and in the 20th Century (1915), the Welsh Guards. Grips were wrapped with fishskin and bound with either brass, silver or steel twistwire.
MISC. BRITISH NAPOLEONIC CAVALRY OFFICERS’ SWORDS -There are many different Napoleonic cavalry officers’ sword types and when an officer was not bound by (or chose to ignore) specific official regulations with regard to the style of sword that he should carry, then personal choice and financial circumstances, became the overriding factors in his choice of sword. For most officers, particularly of light cavalry regiments, both in the regular army and the volunteer yeomanry, swords tended to be based around the style of the 1796 Pattern Light Cavalry Officer’s Sword, with stirrup or D-shaped guards and plain or lionshead pommels. There are also number of swords with attractive horse-head pommels in silver and it is most likely that they were carried by volunteer cavalry officers, as it was definitely not an official pattern.
BRITISH 1821 PATTERN LIGHT CAVALRY TROOPER’S SWORD – Although the previous pattern (1796 Pattern Light Cavalry Trooper’s Sword) was a sword that had been heavily influenced by a design promoted by Major-General John Gaspard Le Marchant, it was still not completely successful in its original intention of rivalling swords carried by French cavalry troopers. The lack of protection for the hand was a particularly serious problem as was the inability for the wide and curved blade to inflict mortal injuries on opponents.
BRITISH 1804/14 PATTERN NAVAL SEAMAN’S CUTLASS – In 1804, an official pattern of cutlass was ordered by the Board of Ordnance. This was the famous “figure-of-eight” or double disc-hilted cutlass, and is probably the cutlass most commonly associated with Royal Navy seaman during the Napoleonic Wars. The cutlass was designed by Henry Osborn of Birmingham and initially cost 4 shillings and tenpence each (the cost of adding a leather and brass-mounted scabbard was 2/3d). According to Annis and May (Swords for Sea Service, page 79), the Board of Ordnance later claimed that the design of the sword had been a joint venture between Osborn and Lord Horatio Nelson but subsequent research has indicated that they had confused the name with a certain R.A. Nelson who was Secretary to the Navy Board at that time. Henry Osborn had the lion’s share of the initial order with 3,000 ordered from the Birmingham sword cutler with equal orders of 1,750 each shared between the following sword makers – Woolley and Co., Craven and Co., Thomas Hadley and Samuel Dawes.
BRITISH 1805 PATTERN NAVAL OFFICER’S SWORD – The 1805 Pattern Naval Officer’s Sword is probably the most common sword type associated with British naval officers during the Napoleonic Wars. No official order has been found detailing the introduction and design of this sword but it is generally agreed that mention of a regulation British naval officer’s sword was made in an Admiralty Minute dated 4th August 1805.
“A sword of each pattern to be sent to the Port Admirals at Plymouth, Portsmouth and Sheerness with a letter signifying the directions of my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty that they be considered as the uniform swords to be worn in future by Officers of His Majesty’s Navy – the ornamented sword by Admirals, Captains and Commanders and the plain sword by Lieutenants and Midshipmen”.
BRITISH 1827 PATTERN NAVAL OFFICER’S SWORD – The year 1827 brought about a radical change in the design of British naval officers’ swords. The Napoleonic stirrup hilt was replaced by a solid gilt brass, half-basket hilt. It was based on the “Gothic-hilted” 1822 Pattern Infantry Officer’s Sword, and in place of the royal cypher and crown found on the Army version, there is a fouled anchor and crown. The lionshead pommel remained as a defining feature of this sword.
884 pages – 12,000 full colour images of British swords – hardback – hand sewn pages
Here are some examples of pages from my new book – The British Sword – An Illustrated History – 1600 to the Present Day. These pages cover the 18th Century and include British infantry swords, cavalry swords, basket hilts, hunting swords, naval swords and smallswords. Here are some extracts from my new book.
THE BRITISH INFANTRYMAN’S SWORD of the early-mid-18th Century is an interesting and somewhat neglected area of study as most energy seems to directed at the latter part of the century when standardised sword patterns began to be introduced into the British Army, allowing easier categorisation both in terms of specifications and chronology. This earlier period is noted for its sheer breadth of styles and is symptomatic of the rather chaotic state of official and unofficial procurement of weapons for individual regiments. Despite this, there is one main sword type that was common during this period and that was the infantry hanger. In general terms, it comprised a short sword with a single edge and was made with either a brass or iron hilt. Its purpose was to give the soldier a close quarter weapon to be used in conjunction with his musket or when the musket was not available. It had a relatively short period of use as the socket bayonet eventually became the first choice edged sidearm for British infantry.
SCOTTISH HIGHLAND BASKET-HILTED broadswords of the 18th Century (particularly examples from the first half of the century), were manufactured at a time when it is commonly agreed that Scottish sword makers were working at the height of their skills, producing some of the most distinctive and arguably, the finest basket hilts ever seen. When compared with their English counterparts, the sheer skill, quality and beauty imbued into the manufacture of these swords, highlights both the enormous pride that went into their production, but also the sword maker’s crucial technical understanding that a Highlander’s sword had to be robust and effective in battle, both in terms of its broadsword blade and basket hilt. In both aesthetic and practical terms, Scottish basket hilts of the 18th Century handsomely fulfilled this criteria.
THE BRITISH CAVALRY TROOPER of the early-mid-18th Century carried a large basket-hilted broadsword that is frequently mistaken for its Highland equivalent. It is a natural mistake to make but these swords were not meant for the Highlander. Some are very similar to contemporary Scottish “Jacobite” basket hilts and were obviously an emulation of these practical and robust sword types and were deliberately made in the Scottish manner, but most had a manufacturing origin in the cities of London and Birmingham, rather than Glasgow or Stirling. British cavalry troopers had been carrying different forms of the basket-hilted sword since the late-16th Century and it can be argued that this sword type was actually more an English invention rather than Scottish. The decision for British heavy cavalry regiments to carry a basket hilt evolved from pure necessity; that is the need to have a substantial and enclosed hilt that effectively protected the sword hand of English troops whilst on horseback.
THE HUNTING SWORD IN BRITAIN IN THE 18TH CENTURY – The beginning of the 18th Century witnessed a near monopoly of supply to Britain for both hunting and civilian blades by the German sword makers of Solingen and Passau. They were able to produce blades to order and offered a complete range from curved and straight, to saw-backed. Blades are found with flat-backed profiles, double-edged or double-edged near the point, single-fullered and multi-fullered, terminating either a short length from the ricasso or travelling the full length of the blade. This great variety of blade types is testament to the sheer number of hunting swords that were produced during the century and exported to Britain. Sword cutlers in England were unable to complete with foreign hunting blades, both on price and quality, and there are very few genuine hunting swords (hilt and blade) during this period that can claim to have a wholly English origin, so examples shown in this book will likely have been made abroad but carried in Britain.
THE BRITISH NAVAL SWORD IN THE 18TH CENTURY– As we enter the 18th Century, the design of the English naval cutlass became more simplified. The introduction of a double disc-type or “figure of eight” hilt was probably the most notable change and this gave the seaman far more protection to the hand than the previous D-guard cutlasses. The previous type of cutlass hilt was not completely phased out as there are many unofficial examples of this style that were still carried well into the 18th and early 19th Century. British naval cutlasses of the 18th Century were provided for Royal Navy seamen by the Board of Ordnance, a government department based in the Tower of London, whose duties also included being responsible for the storage and supply of arms to British forces.
884 pages – 12,000 full colour images of British swords – hardback – hand sewn pages
THE ENGLISH INFANTRY HANGER was a popular form of short sword in mid-17th Century England and carried by both civilian and soldier alike. They are also commonly described as hunting swords and served many functions, being utilised as a handy sword of defence for the civilian about town and a good, close combat sword in the field of battle. Although the short infantry or hunting hanger, was a common sword type throughout Europe, a distinctively English version began to emerge in the mid-17th Century.
THE ENGLISH MILITARY BROADSWORD of the 17th Century encompasses a wide range of styles and influences, both indigenous and foreign. During this century, we see the introduction of enclosed hilt designs that lay a stronger emphasis on the protection of the swordsman’s hand. The cross-hilted, “knightly” broadsword of the previous centuries that had been utilised by both the infantry and cavalry, had all but disappeared on the battlefield and was now only revived for ceremonial purposes, such as the carrying of bearing or executioner’s swords (although England tended to choose the axe as its preferred weapon of despatch for condemned prisoners).
THE ENGLISH HUNTING SWORD of the 17th Century is a good example of how a sword type designed primarily for one function i.e. the despatching and butchering of an animal, was subsequently adopted for use in a range of non-hunting areas, becoming a popular choice of sword for the hunter, civilian, infantry soldier and naval officer. The English huntsman carried a short sword or hanger as his primary hunting weapon well into the 17th Century, in contrast to his continental neighbours, who quickly discarded the sword in favour of the firearm. This may have been due partly to the nature of the animals pursued. In England, the deer and hare (and occasionally, the boar) were the main quarry but on the continent, the huntsman had to face wolves, bears and boars.
It is no wonder that they chose to wait in hides and take potshots from a relatively safe distance. In these countries, the hunting sword developed into an elaborate and fashionable accoutrement to their dress, rather than a practical hunting tool. The hunting sword of this period is also commonly described as a hirschfänger, or couteaux-de-chasse (anglicised into “cuttoes”). In England, the hunting hanger was used as it was originally intended and the following contemporary description is typical of the gruesome rituals involved after a deer had been caught.
THE ENGLISH RAPIER IN THE 17TH CENTURY
As England and Europe entered the 17th Century, the main sword of choice for the civilian gentleman was the rapier. Originating in the Iberian Peninsula during the mid-16th Century (the term rapier comes from the Spanish espada ropera, which translates to sword of the robes), it was an attempt by sword makers to provide more protection to the swordsman’s hand and was a direct response to the decline of armour (specifically, the armoured gauntlet) in the face of rapid technological improvements in personal firearms. The need for a heavy and wide-bladed sword that could penetrate armour had now become less important.
The introduction of the rapier also came at a time when gentlemen began to wear a sword with civilian dress as a statement of fashion and social status but also could draw on the rapier as an effective weapon of defense when required. Duelling had also become very popular and the rapier, with its long and thrusting blade, was the weapon of choice when matters had come to a settling of accounts between two gentlemen.
THE ENGLISH NAVAL SWORD of the 17th Century is not a sword type that is easy to define or categorise. During this early stage in the history of the Royal Navy, there were very few if any formal sword types carried by naval officers and seaman. In general, those who served on board an English warship were equipped with the same edged weapons as those who fought on land. It was only towards the end of the century when swords were produced or attributed to a specific naval use. The short “hanger” was the natural choice of sword for use on an English warship for obvious reasons.
The crowded and cramped confines of a man-o-war called for a practical sword that would not clatter and impede the owner when running up and down ladders, or obstruct a sword thrust or cut whilst engaged in the melee of battle. A long blade would not be particularly suitable in these circumstances and both officers and men preferred the agility and flexibility provided by a short sword.
884 pages – 12,000 full colour images of British swords – hardback – hand sewn pages
CAVALRY SWORDS, INFANTRY SWORDS, NAVAL SWORDS, SMALLSWORDS, RAPIERS, HUNTING SWORDS, POLICE/PRISON/DEPARTMENTAL SWORDS, SCOTTISH BASKET HILTS, NAVAL CUTLASSES, ENGLISH CIVIL WAR SWORDS, NAPOLEONIC SWORDS, VICTORIAN SWORDS, MASONIC SWORDS, COURTSWORDS, GYMNASIA/TRAINING SWORDS, ROYAL AIRFORCE SWORDS, EXPERIMENTAL SWORDS, SWORD MARKINGS, RETAILERS’ MARKINGS, BRITISH SWORD MAKERS AND RETAILERS LIST, MAKERS, RETAILERS’ BLADE MARKS AND TANG BUTTONS, HISTORY OF BRITISH SWORD MANUFACTURE, HISTORY OF THE WILKINSON SWORD COMPANY, WILKINSON SWORD BLADE SERIAL NUMBERS DATING LIST, INFORMATION ON INDIVIDUAL SWORD PATTERNS, FULL BIBLIOGRAPHY
Preserving antique swords is often the domain of specialists, but with a few tips and tricks you will learn how to care for your sword and guard its value for years to come
Preserving the blade metal is an important part of the conservation process.
The correct care and preservation of a sword is not an easy task. Many a fine sword has been ruined by overzealous cleaning, and poor attempts at amateur “restoration”. If you are new to this field of collecting, the basic rule is:
IF YOU ARE NOT SURE ABOUT HOW TO PRESERVE YOUR SWORD, OR FEEL THAT YOU DO NOT HAVE THE NECESSARY SKILLS TO COMPLETE THE PROCESS, ASK SOMEONE WHO DOES.
This “someone” might be a fellow collector with experience of restoration, a dealer who might be able to tell you him/herself, or “knows a man who knows a man“. As time goes by, you will meet people who can offer sound advice. They will be speaking from years of experience, including mistakes that they themselves made at the start!
Expert restorer
If the restoration job is complex, it is always better to hand over your sword to an expert restorer and let them do the tricky work. Expert restorers can be found through word of mouth via dealers and collectors, and some advertise through related militaria journals and magazines. There is also a lively circle of dealers and collectors who speak to each other through internet web sites devoted to collecting edged weapons and they are always more than happy to exchange tips and contacts.
Sound investment
You might think that after paying a considerable sum for your sword, the very last thing that you are wish to do is spend even more cash. This attitude is wrong, and if you intend to keep and preserve a fine collection of British military swords, a little extra spent on preservation will be a sound investment.
Emergency Procedures
Saying this, I do not mean to frighten away the collector by saying that they cannot or should not do any kind of preservation work. Far from it. An expert should normally be called in when there are complex or detailed areas of preservation or restoration work to be addressed, particularly when this might require the sword to be taken apart or broken parts to be repaired. I have visited too many auction rooms and fairs to see the results of amateur botched repairs to hilts, blades and scabbards. Here are some basic emergency procedures that are relatively simple to undertake but vital if wishing to hold back the ravages of time, and ensure that the sword does not deteriorate any further.
BLADES AND METAL SCABBARDS/FITTINGS
One of the first problems that you may encounter concerns the accumulation of corrosion e.g. rust. The use of a Break Free oil which dislodges the rust is recommended, but not on blades with blue and gilt finish, as it has been known to loosen the gilding. Alcohol or kerosene is light enough to clean these delicate blades, and when completely wiped clean of this, a covering of fine carabellum wax is applied. This provides a protective seal which keeps out moisture.
There are a number of specialist waxes on the market. I recommend Museum Wax or Renaissance/Becketts Wax. All these products are available from specialist hardware or gun supply shops, and a quick trawl through the internet will also locate a number of merchants who can supply mail order.
Vaseline petroleum jelly or pure mineral oil/gel will also protect the blade from future moisture, but it is important to stress that you will need to inspect the sword on a regular basis to see if any rust or corrosion has returned. Some swords have very heavy areas of rust where the use of Break Free might not be very effective and other options need to be considered.
In these cases, a very fine abrasive might be used, but you must decide whether the blade etching or hilt/scabbard plating might be damaged or worn by this method. It all comes down to how you want the sword to look, and there are some collectors who cannot resist removing the age or patina of a sword because they believe that a highly polished sword is more attractive. Thankfully, there are not a great number of these individuals, but you will continue to see swords that have been polished to a gleaming state and there is little you can do to return its character. Do not let this be a reason not to buy a particular sword. I would rather acquire a highly polished but rare piece, than none at all!
Another important point to remember is that constant handling of the sword will endanger its condition, especially when moisture from hands comes into contact with the blade. Any collector of Japanese swords will testify to the permanent damage to the blade that can result from finger marks that have not been immediately removed. The wearing of lint free cotton gloves might sound a bit drastic but it ensures that the sword is kept dry. Remember to invest in a couple of pairs. This ensures that there is a spare pair on hand when that inquisitive friend pays a visit.
HILTS, SCABBARDS AND LEATHER / FISHSKIN GRIPS
A toothbrush and some ammonia detergent or soapy water is effective in rooting out dirt and grime from recesses in hilts and scabbard mounts. The main priority is to save any original gilding, so do not use any abrasives in this area.
Use a good leather care product on grips and scabbards to avoid drying out. It should also have a high wax content as it will act as a long term anti-drying sealant. Regular inspection of leather fittings should be done in conjunction with the inspection of the metal parts. Try not to display swords with leather scabbards or grips too near areas of heat, particularly central heating radiators. It is probably stating the obvious but direct sunlight will never be advantageous to an antique piece. For fishskin grips I recommend a little baby oil or olive oil to allow the material to breathe again. Do not rub too hard on grips as they can be very flaky and pieces can easily come away.
The Medieval broadsword is representative of a distinct period in military history when the use of a sturdy and practical fighting weapon was crucial on the battlefield. These wide-bladed, double-edged broadswords were designed primarily for hacking and cutting in the melee of battle and for several hundred years, it was the primary weapon of offense for both the knight and ordinary soldier of the Middle Ages.
Most examples are relatively plain in design and were produced with mortal combat, rather than public show in mind. Existing and genuine swords are now extremely scarce. Most are found in museums or established collections, but the collector can still occasionally purchase these swords from specialist auctions and reputable private dealers. They do command very high prices, but the acquisition of one can be viewed as a unique window into a time when the carrying of such a highly prized and expensive blade, conferred both status and power.
Historical Background
The typical style of the “Knightly Sword” that has entered into our imagination was firmly established by the twelfth and thirteenth centuries. In general terms it comprised a long, broad-bladed sword with double fullers. A plain cross-bar hilt with wheel, brazil nut, ovoidal or mushroom-shaped pommel finished this profile. This basic sword design had remained virtually unchanged since the time of the Vikings, and over the next three centuries, there was little need for change.
Some blades are encountered with inlaid decoration, mostly in the form of large lettering or symbols, normally of a religious or mystical nature. Pommels of this period can also be found with inset heraldic devices, denoting particular royal or noble families. Rare specimens have pommels of agate, inlaid gold, or rock crystal. Before the fourteenth century, soldiers wore a heavy chainmail vest and leather jerkin for protection. This configuration allowed a relatively easy route of entry for a sword through the natural gaps provided between chainmail links. The emphasis was thus laid on producing a sword that was both broad-bladed and a slashing weapon. Lighter and shorter swords (falchions) could also do this work but when plate mail began to appear in the 1400’s, the slashing and cutting swords of a previous generation were unable to penetrate between the enclosed metal plated that now enveloped the soldier. A new type of sword blade was urgently needed. It had to be both heavier and stronger (especially at the tip) to enable a powerful, downwards-thrusting movement from the combatant directly into the armour or in a place of vulnerability. Blades therefore became longer and narrower and with the penetrating effect of a thrusting spear. The grip was also extended to allow two-handed and consequently, more powerful operation.
Collecting Medieval Swords
Any serious collector of ancient and early swords will tell you that the scope for forgeries is great. For many years there has been a lively market both in their production and retailing. It is relatively easy to fake these swords as most genuine examples are in very poor condition, some just retaining the blade and lacking any hilt.
It can be quite simple to age and corrode a new blade using specific chemicals. The result can be a sword that appears many centuries old. A recent phenomenon is the use of 19th Century Sudanese Kaskara broadsword blades. They are very similar in profile to Viking and medieval blades and with carefully added ageing, they have been known to sell as original Viking or Medieval blades, particularly on internet auction web sites. A “rule of thumb” when buying medieval swords is that if it appears to be very cheap, it is more than likely to be a fake. An original Viking or Medieval broadsword in so-called “good” condition (and most original examples are definitely not in “good” condition as they tend to be excavated swords with considerable corrosion) would be worth upwards of $15000, so if you see a “Medieval” sword for sale at a couple of thousand dollars, just think to yourself why is it going for such a cheap price? Maybe the seller just doesn’t know what he has and I am going to get the bargain of the century! Unfortunately, life tends not to be like that and invariably, the seller knows exactly what he is selling. It’s an old and maybe clichéd phrase but one that has served me well – CAVEAT EMPTOR.
Originally raised as the King’s Royal Rifle Corps in 1755, the Rifle Brigade as we know it was formed in 1800. Initially, officers carried a lighter version of the 1796 Light Cavalry Sword and later adopted the 1803 Infantry Officer’s sword, with a strung bugle motif placed on the knucklebow. Officers were noted for their elite individuality, both in uniform and tactics, and it is no wonder that they eventually gained their own distinctive pattern of sword. The 1827 Pattern Rifle Regiment Sword is defined by an all steel hilt and the replacement of the usual royal cypher with a strung bugle in cartouche. This motif symbolised the earlier use of the bugle to control rifle troops rather than the drum favoured by the Infantry of the Line. Later in the Victorian era, nickel plated examples superseded the original steel hilt.
This pattern of sword is still carried by Rifle Officersin the British Army. Victorian swords are invariably decorated with the names of regional volunteer rifle regiments. This is one of the most common of British pattern swords and frequently seen in the market. Examples appear frequently in country auctions and might indicate that many of the volunteer militia swords strayed no further than the owner’s town or village boundary. The regular army were rather contemptuous in their opinion of these volunteer regiments and viewed them, perhaps unkindly, as weekend soldiers. Contemporary cartoons also portrayed the officers as bloated buffoons, more interested in impressing the ladies with their dashing uniforms, than the serious business of military manoeuvres. This is a crude caricature. Most volunteers took their duties very seriously.
When compared with the 1822 Pattern, the main difference concerns the absence of a folding guard This change to the hilt was made in the Regulations of 1854. The “Wilkinson” 1845 Pattern single-fullered blade is the most common type to be found with this hilt. The 1854 Pattern had a very long service life and many examples can be found in the market. Special mention should be made concerning some excellent 1854 Pattern swords manufactured by Wilkinson. The quality of these is very apparent, especially in the sturdy hilt construction and the crisp, deep etching to thick, wide blades. A good heavy duty scabbard was also supplied in both steel and leather on steel. These swords were made for proper service use and would have undergone strenuous testing at the Wilkinson factory.
This sword also has a picquet weightequivalent carried during social engagements. There were never official regulations for the carrying of these lightweight versions, but they are very common and so must have been accepted unofficially by the authorities.
The 1822 Pattern Infantry Officer’s Swordwas a radical departure from previous designs with its half basket hilt becoming the standard format for British infantry swords until the end of the nineteenth century. Distinctive features of the sword include the “Gothic” style pierced hilt, so-called after its resemblance to the shapes of windows in Gothic architecture, and the “s-shaped” folding guard. Elegant in design, the slender pipe backed blade was sheathed in a black leather scabbard with decorated gilt brass mounts. The royal cypher was placed within an oval hilt cartouche and during its lifetime, this pattern saw three monarchs (George IV, William IV and Victoria) featured. Victorian examples are pretty common with many varieties of design interpretations to the royal cypher.
Both George IV and William IVhad relatively short reigns and, consequently, examples are scarce, especially in good condition. They tend to be more delicate than later Victorian pieces and many are found with broken or missing folding guards, and damage to the hilt piercings. It is a good idea to check carefully to see that the folding guard is working properly as they were easily damaged. Also take care when folding guards as they were held together with very thin pins and can easily snap.
Late Georgian bladesare very finely etched with much less decoration than later Victorian examples. Consequently, the pre-Victorian swords tend to have very worn etching (sometimes to the point of obscurity). Up until around 1835, there would also have been a black leather hilt lining. Very few of these survive intact.
Later versions have the single fullered1845 Pattern “Wilkinson” type blade that became the army standard. I would recommend buying the pipe back version as it is more elegant in profile and truer to the original design. There is a “picquet”, “levee” or dress form of this sword which is a lightweight version with a much narrower blade. It was carried by the officer at social functions including balls, mess dinners and probably at Court.
As a fighting weapon, the 1822 Pattern was rather unsatisfactory, the blade being far too weak and the hilt bars affording little protection. When the 1845 Pattern blade was introduced, officers were not required to immediately change to the new pattern. They were allowed to carry the old pipe back sword blade until it became unserviceable. As with many new items of equipment introduced into a regular army, it was unlikely to have been a seamless and rapid introduction. Some years would pass before all officers carried the new official regulation sword. The idea that in 1845, all British infantry officers suddenly discarded the 1822 Pattern pipe back blade in favour of the 1845, would be a little fanciful and completely impracticable, and not to say, uneconomic. The purchase of an officer’s sword was a major financial strain on many officers and they were not likely to discard an expensive sword because the authorities deemed it necessary.
By 1800, this type of curved sabrehad already been unofficially adopted by many light infantry officers, and it was only a matter of time before official recognition came in 1803. One of the most attractive of British pattern swords, it has numerous subtle variations in design, most notably to the royal cypher on the knuckle-bow and the lions-head pommel. The knucklebow can also feature either a bugle or flaming grenade above the royal crown, denoting use by both grenadiers and rifle companies. Blades were also lavishly decorated with blue and gilt. Its curved, cavalry type blade borrowed much from the eastern scimitar, and it quickly enjoyed quite a vogue amongst officers returning from the recent Egyptian campaigns. Although apparently unsuited to fighting on the ground (its curved blade would have been more effective when slashed from the saddle), style over substance seems to have won the day. Lieutenant William Smith of the 77th Foot (Middlesex Regiment) carried this pattern as he “hewed and slashed his way through the enemy” before succumbing to his many wounds at the Battle of Ciudad Rodrigo in the Peninsular War. Most examples are found without scabbards but it is worth holding on until you can locate a complete piece. This sword looks most attractive when paired with its gilt brass mounted scabbard. Examples with ivory grips were likely to have been carried by more senior officers.
This pattern of swordwas adopted soon after the official abolition of the Officer’s Spontoon, or half pike, which had become little more than a symbol of authority in the field of battle, rather than an effective combat weapon. King George III approved the introduction of a straight bladed, single fullered sword, and early 1786 Pattern spadroon-type versions are to be found with a straight, beaded knucklebow, reeded ivory grip and cushion, vase or urn-shaped pommels (figure 1.). This was soon replaced by a double shell guard. It is this pattern of sword that is more commonly encountered. Early examples of the 1786 Pattern (figure 4.) have a rigid double shell guard that was superceded in 1796 for one that had a folding guard (figure 3.). This adaptation enabled the officer to avoid fraying his uniform. An NCO pattern (figure 2.) is also found with plain brass hilt, blade and scabbard mounts. Hilt and scabbard mounts were plain brass. It is much rarer than the officer‘s sword as they were normally discarded when unserviceable.
The 1796 Patternwas the mainstay of the British Infantry Officer for over 25 years and the design influenced many other countries, most notably the United States, where the Model 1840 non-commissioned officer’s sword bears a striking resemblance. Its obvious defects and fighting inadequacy were no doubt the cause of many unnecessary deaths amongst British officers. Protection to the hand was minimal, and the blade was rather thin and flimsy.
It is not a scarce sword for the collector to acquire but most examples are in poor condition due to the fragility of the folding guard. Worn blades, and the tendency for the quillon to snap off (look out for poorly re-attached quillons) are also common. This is made worse by the frequent absence of the gilt brass and leather scabbard which easily perished both in the field and after years of careless storage. Swords with substantial blue and gilt decoration remaining to the blade and complete with original scabbard, can command very high prices. Good examples are becoming extremely difficult to locate in the market. Many examples are marked “JJ Runkel” to the blade edge. John Runkel had an office in London and was a major importer of German blades for the British Army during the Napoleonic Wars.
The British 1796 Pattern Light Cavalry Trooper’s Sword
Classic Arms and Militaria Review
“The author is well known as a leading sword dealer and authority with some six well-produced books already to his name. This is a new volume in a projected series of about 15 monographs on individual types of British military sword. This is a welcome venture, rather reminiscent of the Arms and Armour Press monographs from the 1960’s that so many collectors cut their teeth upon and which are still highly rated today.
This very useful book concentrates upon the iconic 1796 light Cavalry sword carried by Wellingtons Light Dragoons and Hussars throughout the Napoleonic wars. It has a very ‘busy’ format with photos of many views of the swords interspersed with contemporary and other pictures.
The book starts with an introduction before moving on to the parts of the sword – particularly useful for new collectors – its historical background, examples and variants, the Regulations for Sword Exercise for the Cavalry (1796), makers, collecting tips and notes on preservation and care.
This series will build up into a useful reference work on British military swords and Classic Arms and Militaria wishes Mr Withers every success with his endeavour. Excellent value for money.”
The Scottish 1828 Pattern Highland Basket-hilted Broadsword
Classic Arms and Militaria Review
“This is number 2 in the series covering the distinctive sword still carried in Highland Regiments to this day. It follows the format of volume 1 with numerous views and illustrations. There are sections on swords marked to individual regiments as well as those swords carried for fighting or undress with the crossbar guard instead of the full basket. A very useful, in-depth study.”
British 18th and 19th Century Naval Cutlasses
Classic Arms and Militaria Review
“Volume 3 fills a much-needed gap for those collectors whose passion is for the fighting sword of the lower deck in the Royal Navy. The book starts with non-regulation types that proliferated before the celebrated 1804 Pattern with the figure-of-eight guard. Throughout this period the emphasis was on producing a cheap, robust, no-frills sword for the seaman to use when boarding, repelling boarders of on landing parties. The Royal Navy was never known to lavish much attention on personal arms for the seaman, believing instead that resources were better spent on the ships themselves and their artillery of great guns.
The Napoleonic era is illustrated with a nice plate of Henry Angelo’s Cutlass Exercise of 1814. The 19th Century cutlass tended to be very much better made and more sophisticated. The Patterns of 1845/58, 1889 and 1900 are all dealt with in detail. The cutlass bayonets, Patterns 1871 and 1859 are covered; they represent an attempt (only partially successful) to make an effective weapon system for the seaman armed with an Enfield or Martini rifle. An excellent, tightly drawn study.”
Swords at the Battle of Waterloo
Classic Arms and Militaria Review
“Specially produced for the 20th anniversary year of this militarily and politically important battle, the author deviates slightly from his chosen path of British military swords in volume 4 to include those carried by the French as well. Most of the main types – infantry and cavalry – are depicted in what must be seen as a general book. Nonetheless it is a battle specific guide to what was principally carried by the two main combatant forces.”
British Napoleonic Infantry Swords Part One
(awaiting review)
With over 200-300 full colour illustrations and photographs in each booklet
I have been collecting and dealing in antique swords and edged weapons since 1998 and over that time, have been lucky enough to handle many thousands of antique military swords. They have ranged from ancient Celtic warrior’s swords to superbly decorated 17th Century rapiers, to the very last cavalry sabres used on the battlefields of WWI. Below are some examples of swords that I have bought and sold over the years.
Antique Swords and Making Friends
I get a terrific thrill from buying and selling antique swords and there is no greater pleasure than attending auctions, antique arms shows or rooting around antiques shops, looking for a hidden gem. I have met many collectors over the years and like to think that I have also made many friends in the world of antique sword collecting. I am proud to say that the key to any positive relationship between buyer and seller is trust and I am happy to say that many of my current customers have been with me from my early days of selling. Hopefully, it means that I am getting something right! I have always traded on my reputation for providing original and interesting examples of swords spanning many centuries, coupled with a friendly and efficient approach to customer queries. Emails are always answered promptly and I like nothing more than a good chat about swords!
Antique Swords and Books for Collectors
I have accumulated many thousands of full colour photographs of the swords that I have purchased and since 2003, have put them to good use by producing a series of price guides and reference books for the collector and student of antique military swords. Click the images below for more information on all the books that I have authored.
Books will always pay you back many times over
I have always believed that the initial investment in a good reference book will always pay you back many times over and give you the edge when on the hunt for antique swords. Take a look at my other articles and you will see that I have put together a bibilography of books for the sword collector. I hope to keep adding to this list and welcome any suggestions. Just e-mail me here if you have a suggestion for a title to add to the list. The more knowledgeable we all become can only be a good thing.
Future Articles
As I develop this web site, I hope to produce more articles about collecting antique military swords and importantly, the history of these unique items. Please check back regularly as I will be regularly adding new articles.
I hope that you will find then both helpful and informative and please do not hesitate to contact me if you wish to submit an article or make a suggestion.
The present-day collector of antique military swords inhabits a commercial environment quite unlike that of past generations. The rapid global expansion of the internet has been the most important development within the antique collecting marketplace, creating a dynamic and ever-changing platform for the sourcing and selling of military antiques.
Dedicated web sites have emerged to cater for the sword collector with both auctioneers and dealers quick to embrace the new technology. Customers now have the unique opportunity to both view and purchase antique swords directly from their own home computer.
Internet auction sites
Internet auction sitessuch as eBay have also become an important hub for both the selling and buying of antique swords. Substantial numbers of swords are traded every week and can be purchased with relative ease from almost anywhere in the world. The idea that a buyer would happily purchase any antique purely on the basis of a few photographs and a brief description would have seemed ludicrous only a few years ago, but this is exactly how antique swords are bring traded today.
This form of business is ideal for those unable to attend regular auctions and antique arms shows, but it must be made clear that this form of trading is not painless and a number of important caveats must be remembered. One of the most crucial is to ask the seller a series of detailed questions. The answers given will prove useful if the sword arrives and it does not tally with the original auction description. In the case of E-Bay, always check the seller’s feedback record as this illustrates the type of seller that you are dealing with and their previous history of transactions.
Auction Houses
The main beneficiaries of this inflationary market are the auction houses who have realised that their business now has a global reach and can offer facilities for customers to view and bid for lots online. The time has long gone when only the bidder standing on the auction floor is guaranteed to take the lots home. Commission bids now frequently win the day. Many auction houses will also send prospective bidders digital pics of the lots via e-mail. Importantly, the emphasis is very much on the bidder to ask the appropriate questions concerning condition or provenance. Having said this, auctioneers are still right in emphasising that nothing can replace actually seeing and handling a sword yourself.
E-Commerce
E-commerce can only expand further and looks set to be a major factor in the evolution of the market. This is not all benefit driven. It is an old adage in the antiques trade that demand invariably outstrips supply. This appears to be the current situation when trying to source good examples of antique military swords. Although it might seem that there is a reasonable quantity of swords available to buy via the internet and auctions, the actual quality of these pieces is sadly deteriorating. Examples in excellent condition are becoming extremely scarce. Added to this is the fact that prices are rising at an alarming rate.
Investment
The investment value of antique swords is obvious, and with average yearly increases of around 15-20%, you will be hard pressed to find a better return in any financial market. To date, the market shows no sign of slowing down or reversing.
Most collectors obviously do not wish to sell their coveted pieces, but it is reassuring to know that once bought, the value of a sword is likely to appreciate over time.
Knowledge
The smart collector should constantly update their knowledge of the subject. The purchase of books and the building of a sound reference library are therefore essential. If possible, make a point of buying a relevant book whenever you attend an arms show. The ability to correctly identify and value a piece will always give you the upper hand, and might even allow you to occasionally purchase a bargain. Do not assume that the dealer on the other side of the table has more knowledge than you. They do sometimes let a special piece slip through because of their own ignorance!
Arms Shows and Auctions
There is no substitute to visiting auctions, arms shows and museum collections. Go to as many as you can and follow some basic rules. When visiting an arms show, the most important rule is to take your time when inspecting a sword. Out of courtesy, always ask the dealer if you can inspect the sword. There is nothing more annoying to a dealer than to see their precious stock clumsily pawed by a novice collector. Always draw a sword out of a leather scabbard with the blade held vertically, point down, so as to avoid the danger of bending or breaking the leather at a weak point.
If the sword comes with a scabbard, put both alongside and compare the blade length with the scabbard length. Sometimes there can be a great disparity in lengths. Scabbards are easily swapped around, although some would have been legitimately replaced during their service lives.
Be wary of sword blades that do not fit snugly into the scabbard or are either loose or tight. Be also aware that with leather scabbards, a tight fit might actually be due to genuine leather shrinkage, so use sensible judgement.
Look at the patination of both the hilt and metal scabbard. Matched patination is what you are looking for. A brightly cleaned metal scabbard and dark patinated hilt are obviously suspicious. At many arms shows and auction houses the interior lighting can be quite poor. Large arenas are notorious venues where this disadvantage can hide damage, alteration and all manner of deceptions done to a sword. View the sword from as many angles as possible. Check that the blade has not been altered by looking at the tang button. It should not show any evidence of having been taken out and re-hammered back in. Unaltered tang buttons are invariably smooth and flush, with a dark age patination.
Buying
When involved in the buying process, do not be afraid to haggle with the dealer but do not offer a silly price. This is both insulting and makes you look foolish. If you have any doubts about the authenticity of a piece ask the dealer to confirm that it is genuine. Their response is normally enough to convince you either way. If the reply that you receive goes along the lines of; “I have no idea what it is.”, be very cautious. For security of mind, ask for a written receipt or official invoice with the dealer’s name, address and telephone number. The vast majority of dealers are honest and fair people so approach your purchases with a positive yet attentive mind. If attending an auction, always stick to your bid limit and don’t get carried away. Remember also to factor in the buyer’s commission when calculating your maximum bid.
Forgeries
Spurious blade engraving or etching has become a recent and troubling phenomenon. In the case of British swords, I have seen an ordinary mid-Victorian cavalry officer’s sword transformed (by the addition of a notable and distinguished name or presentation inscription) to a potentially “historic”piece. Fortunately, the modern forger tends not to possess the skills of craftsmanship inherent in their forebears, and their attempts are usually quite crude when compared with the original blade decoration. Always compare the quality of the two. New collectors will always be caught out by these deceits, and it is only through constant viewing and handling of the genuine article, that you will be able to distinguish between the right and the wrong piece. Even seasoned collectors started out by buying wrong pieces. It is a tough process that all collectors have to go through. Experience is the only educator in this fascinating field of collecting.
Please see below examples of my excellent positive feedback (well over 4000 feedbacks to date) that I have received on eBay since 1999! Be assured that you are dealing with an established and reputable dealer withover 20 years experience in selling antique militaria, swords and edged weapons. If you want to confirm these feedbacks please check my E-Bay ID – militariahub.
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RARE GERMAN WW1 NAVAL MARINES 1ST MATROSEN DIVISION FIELD CAP (#300599011943)
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FINE WW1 IMPERIAL GERMAN M1889 INFANTRY OFFICER’S SWORD (#300593726296)
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ORIGINAL BRITISH C.1820 POLICE/CUSTOMS OFFICER’S SWORD (#300596544292)
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ORIGINAL 19TH CENTURY BRITISH(?) RAPIER SWORD (#300596533800)
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WW1 NAMED 1854 PATT. SCOTS GUARDS OFF SWORD – WOUNDED (#300596541163)
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BRITISH MILITARY SWORDS 1786-1912 COLOUR PRICE GUIDE (#300586496532)
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WORLD SWORDS 1400-1945 PRICE GUIDE $55.95 NOW $35.95!! (#300563090475)
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WORLD SWORDS & BRITISH SWORDS COLLECTORS’ PRICE GUIDES (#300590139590)
The history of British sword manufacture is a tale characterised by a series of economic highs and lows, due in part to the changing necessities of military conflict, government intransigence, and an on-going “war” conducted by British sword makers, against a flood of cheap, (sometimes inferior) foreign imports, most notably from Solingen, Germany.
Price Competition
For most of the nineteenth century, this inability to compete on price with Solingen ensured the steady decline of British sword making and the resulting emergence of only a small number of companies who were able to trade more on quality than price. The most notable of these was The Wilkinson Sword Company. Henry Wilkinson never claimed that he could produce a cheaper sword, but through rigorous testing procedures and innovative blade design, he could certainly rightly claim that his swords were of world-beating standard. In 1900, the German sword trade could sell an officer’s sword to a London retailer for 21 shillings (£1.05), who would then sell on the sword at 30 shillings (£1.50). If you wanted to buy a Wilkinson “Best proved sword, with a patent solid tang”, a customer would be asked to pay 5 guineas (£5.25). The price difference is staggering but it is a testament to the high regard in which these swords were held by contemporaries that they were still purchased in such large numbers.
Combat Reliability
It took many years for the military authorities to grudgingly accept that if you paid a little more for better quality, home manufactured blades, then the critical issue of combat reliability could be properly addressed. The axiom that you get exactly what you pay for could have been etched, literally, on the blades of many swords purchased by the British Army. Indeed, there were times when swords supplied to the British Army were regarded as practically useless when wielded in the heat of battle. Reports from both officers and men detail constant service problems with broken and bent blades that, in some circumstances, led directly to the unnecessary deaths of servicemen. The actual quality and design of swords carried by British soldiers had always been a bone of contention and, in typically British fashion, led to the establishment of numerous Committees of Enquiry, following a series of very public sword scandals.
Feast and Famine
British sword makers and their myriad suppliers lived through frequent periods of economic feast or famine. The availability of regular work was particularly erratic and many companies went in and out of business with alarming regularity. The Napoleonic Wars of the late-eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries brought some stability. It became a temporary boom time for sword making and its allied trades, with government contracts placed for thousands of swords, bayonets and guns. The city of Birmingham was a major beneficiary of this government contracts placed for thousands of swords, bayonets and guns.
Sword Workshops
Individual craftsmen and women (mainly anonymous) were the real sword makers. In many cases, they provided the finished parts to the “sword maker” who then simply assembled and sold on to the retailer the finished sword. During the early 1800’s, countless small workshops and homes turned out blades, grips, scabbards and mounts. Their identities will probably never be known as the “sword maker” or retailer invariably stamped the completed sword with his own company name, but their superb skill and artistry is thankfully passed down to us in the fine pieces that are now available to the collector.
Cut or Thrust?
It should also be remembered that the history of British sword making was driven by great theoretical debate and argument. The fundamental question that ran through the design and development of British swords, namely that of whether a military sword should be primarily one of cut or thrust, rumbled on for many years. It actually took over one hundred years of trial (and mainly error!) for this debate to be properly satisfied. By then, the conclusion, that a thrusting sword was the most effective, had become completely irrelevant in a new world of machine guns and static warfare.
Origins of British Sword Manufacture
Let us first take a look at the historical origins of indigenous British sword manufacture.
The recognition of sword-making in Britain as a distinct trade can be traced back as far as 1415, when The Worshipful Company of Cutlers of London received Royal Assent. The metal producing area of Solingen, Germany, followed this trend later in the century when the ruling council in Cologne granted permission for a guild of swordsmith and cutlers to be established. The sixteenth century saw the genesis of a more organised method of sword manufacture in Britain. Henry VIII initiated a thriving armoury at Greenwich, London. It turned out some remarkable pieces of armour and edged weaponry and these can still be seen today. Even at this very early stage of the story we run into the interminable thorn in the side of British sword manufacturers. This concerned the use of imported skilled German craftsmen from Solingen and Passau, who were employed in King Henry’s armoury, due to a severe shortage of skilled English workers. Although it might seem highly contradictory, at least German workers were producing “English” swords in England, rather than in their own homeland.
For the next three hundred years there would be bitter competition between German sword makers and the small English manufacturers, to win the custom of sword buyers (both civilian and military) within Britain. It was a competition in which Germany would be the ultimate victor.
German Immigrant Sword Makers and Hounslow
Following the influx of German Protestants into England due to Catholic religious persecution in the 1600‘s, a number of skilled German metal workers helped to establish a new sword factory in Hounslow (near London), in 1620.
Shotley Bridge Sword Makers
The Hollow Sword Blade Company was also formed in 1690 at a new northern factory in Shotley Bridge, County Durham. The choice of location was due to the rich iron ore deposits found in the local area, the fast flowing River Derwent that was ideal for tempering blades, and also the fact that its remoteness was handy in keeping the secrets of manufacture away from prying eyes, e.g. competitors. An interesting local story highlights the pride with which these newcomers viewed their enterprise.
“There is a story that one of the Shotley sword-making fraternity, a certain William Oley, was once challenged by two other sword makers to see who could make the sharpest and most resilient sword. On the day of the challenge, the three men turned up, but it seemed that Oley had forgotten to bring an example of his work. The two other sword makers, assuming that he had been unable to make a sword of a suitable standard, began to boastfully demonstrate the strength, sharpness and resiliency of their workpieces.
Eventually their curiosity got the better of them and they asked Oley why he had not brought a sword. With a mischievous grin, Oley removed his stiff hat, to reveal a super-resilient sword, coiled up inside. He challenged the other two sword makers to remove the sword from the hat, but their attempts nearly resulted in the loss of their fingers. In the end the sword could only be removed by means of a vice. For strength, sharpness and resiliency Oley’s sword was undoubtedly the winner.”
One of the Hounslow founders, Benjamin Stone, confidently declared that he had “perfected the art of blade making”. His swords were “as good and cheap as any to be found in the Christian world.”
Hollow-Ground or “Colichemarde” Blades
These boastful claims were soon to suffer ridicule when it was found that Hounslow and Shotley Bridge could not reproduce the quality of manufacture that was coming out of Germany, particularly in the lucrative area of hollow-ground or ‘colichemarde’ blades used in smallswords, which had become the standard dress arm for both gentleman and military officers. Solingen had also developed specialist machinery for the production of these blades, which involved rolling out the hollows of the blade. It was a revolutionary technique and cut down dramatically the standard dress arm for both gentleman and military officers. Solingen had also developed specialist machinery for the production of these blades, which involved rolling out the hollows of the blade. Both Hounslow and Shotley Bridge had nothing like this and could only manufacture by labourious hand crafting of the blade. Rate of production was tiny compared with the established German sword guilds.
Despite the imposition of heavy taxes by the British Crown on the importation of foreign blades in order to stimulate home production, Hounslow and Shotley were only able to produce simple, flat bladed weapons, rather than the more sophisticated swords being manufactured in Germany, and it soon faded into obscurity. A typical “Hounslow Hanger” of the late-seventeenth century is now an extremely collectable genre of sword.
Importantly, the secret knowledge of how to hollow- ground blades rested primarily in Germany and determined attempts were made to bring back that technology to England, including an unsuccessful invitation for German smiths to come and settle in England and teach native workers. A English patent was granted in 1688 for the production of hollow ground blades but progress was slow, due mainly to the unsettled political environment in England.
Shotley did not appear to turn out many hollow-ground blades and within a relatively short period of time the group of businessmen who started the enterprise sold out to one of its employees, a certain Herman Mohll. The name Mohll or the anglicised Mole as it was to later become, deserves a special place in British sword-making history as it is synonymous with the manufacture of British swords, particularly those service patterns supplied directly to the British Army.
The first of Mohll’s hollow blade ventures at Shotley Bridge soon ran into trouble with British Customs, due to his involvement with a cargo of smuggled, partly finished, hollow- ground blades from Germany, that he planned to retail as his own. We then next see him starting up another company, Herman Mohll and Son, which concentrated on the manufacture of military blades.
This he eventually sold out to Robert Oley (nee Ohlig), in 1742, who carried on the business until 1832 when Robert Moll, a descendant of the original family, bought back the firm, and changed the name again to Mole. They continued as a military contractor of swords and bayonets until being subsumed in 1922 by the Wilkinson Sword Company.
It is interesting to see that Shotley Bridge had high ideals when it came to proclaiming the quality of their blades and even impressed a running horse mark to blades in imitation of the running wolf marks seen on Solingen / Passau blades. Shotley Bridge has interest for the student and collector in that it was a historical starting point for British sword manufacture rather than a beacon of technological and artistic prowess. For that we need to adjust our gaze to the cities of London and Birmingham.
LONDON
Up until the late eighteenth century when Birmingham took over the primary role of service sword manufacture, London was at the centre of both sword making and retailing. It was an obvious choice due to some basic geography. For hundreds of years, it had been a port of entry and exit for manufactured goods to the continent. Countless sword blades were brought over from Germany and either decorated or mounted to London-made hilts and scabbards. They were then shipped out, most notably to the fledgling United States, where the eagle-head sword is commonly found with an English maker mark. Many craftsmen were involved in this process and London carved out a justifiable name for herself during the eighteenth century, particularly in the manufacture of silver-hilted smallswords. Those collectors lucky enough to acquire these exquisite swords, will invariably see a London silver hallmark to the hilt (if not rubbed away) and, if luckier still, the initials of the maker are sometimes present. The work of Leslie Southwick (London Silver-Hilted Swords) has made tracing original London sword silversmiths considerably easier and I fully recommend this exhaustive book on English silver-hilted swords.
Names that the collector of British military swords will be familiar with include many London makers and retailers such as John Prosser, Samuel Brunn, Nathaniel Jeffreys, John Salter, Henry Tatham, Francis Thurkle and, of course, Henry Wilkinson.
The sword and cutlery trade was based primarily in the City of London and included such locales as Cheapside, London Bridge, and Fleet Street. Prestigious addresses such as the Strand, Piccadilly, Bond Street, and Pall Mall acted as both manufacturing locations and retailing hubs. Many of the sword retailers and makers became very wealthy and subsequently moved out of the centre of London to more leafy and cleaner areas, although a sizeable number of dedicated sword makers tended to live and die in their original neighbourhoods.
John Salter retired to the comforts of Bexley, Kent and Nathaniel Jeffreys left the City for distant Worcester.
Special mention must also be made of one notable character in the London trade during the Napoleonic period. His name was John Justus Runkel and his is one of the most frequently observed signatures to be found on British military swords of that period. J.J. Runkel, was a German immigrant who became a British subject in 1796. He proceeded to almost corner the market in the large-scale importation of sword blades from Solingen, Germany, via the port of Emden. In the first years of the nineteenth century he was said to be handling hundreds of blades every month. No wonder so many are still available to the collector.
He did not involve himself in the actual manufacture of swords, but was purely a conduit or agent for German blades entering into London. They came as either plain or decorated blades with blue and gilt applied in a standard format. Look at a number of Runkel blades together and you will see that the motifs are all very similar and seldom vary. Runkel was catering for an early form of “mass-market”, and the British officer purchasing a Runkel blade would not find too many surprises. That said, a blue and gilt blade by Runkel retaining most of the original colour is still a very attractive piece, and we should be glad that a reasonable number have survived.
In contrast to the Birmingham trade who produced most of the plain service swords required by the ordinary soldier, London was noted for her skill in combining the art of the jeweller, leather worker and blade decorator. Many presentation swords, particularly those made during the Napoleonic Wars, were of London origin. Andrew Mowbray, in his book on American Eagle-headed Swords (The American Eagle-Head Pommel Sword), remarks that London was regarded as producing a higher standard of fire-gilt finish to blades than those seen in Birmingham, and that a London blade could be recognised purely within that criteria.
London sword makers enjoyed a flourishing trade within Britain and on the continent for many years. It was only after the 1820’s, and the re-emergence of Solingen, combined with economic depression at home, that we see a dramatic reduction in the capital’s ability to re-capture past sword-making glories.
Nineteenth Century
As we move into the nineteenth century, the British Army realised that there was an urgent need for better standardisation of production and quality within the issue of swords. This led to the belief that a manufacturing facility, based in Britain and better controlled by the military authorities, was an urgent necessity. A Board of Ordnance had already been set up since the seventeenth century with the job of overseeing the standard of arms produced for the monarch’s forces. There was a system of inspection within the Tower of London but improvements were needed and, in 1804, the Board of Ordnance established the Small Arms Factory at Enfield Lock, north of London. It was later to be designated the Royal Small Arms Factory and became a major supplier of guns, swords and bayonets to the British Army. Despite this, it was still unable to produce the very large numbers required by the expanding British armed forces and contracts were regularly shared with British and German commercial sword makers. This can result in the collector encountering both British and German makers’ marks to one particular pattern of sword, unlike the dedicated French government sword makers at Klingenthal or Chatellerault, whose blades are consistently marked with the names of these two famous French domestic government armaments factories.
Enfield Ordnance Factory, c.1853.
A typical 1853 Pattern Cavalry Trooper’s sword might be seen with both Enfield, Mole and Kirschbaum (German) makers marks
It must also be remembered that many London cutlers had workshops or agents in Birmingham and this situation was reciprocated with the Birmingham trade. Towards the end of nineteenth century, the number of actual sword makers, rather than retailers, in London, had greatly diminished. Great names such as Prosser, Salter and Tatham had long gone and companies such as Wilkinson, Thurkle and Gaunt were left to splutter on until the early years of the next century. Only Wilkinson Sword survived after 1930.
Collecting British Antique Swords and Edged Weapons – A Guide for Buyers
The collecting of swords and edged weapons has been both a hobby and business for me over many years. It has been a fascinating experience and one that has enabled me to handle thousands of British swords and edged weapons. One thing that strikes me first is the sheer variety of edged weapons that Britain has produced. We have a long and distinguished martial history and the production and use of the sword has always been an important element in the portrayal of the typical British soldier, both officer and enlisted man.
Status and Rank
The carrying of a sword by a British officer signified their status and rank and before the introduction of the machine gun and mechanised warfare, the use of a sword whether it be on the battlefield or on board a ship of the line, was a symbol of an officer’s leadership and personal courage. In these modern times when long distance warfare is the norm and an enemy might never be seen before the kill, it is important to note that the sword was a weapon of close quarter and the injuries suffered from its use were horrific and rarely saveable. If a collector buys an antique sword and admires its fine workmanship and lines (as we all do) it must also be remembered that it had a primary function to kill or maim an opponent and the sword that you have in your hand might just have done that many times.
Sourcing Antique British Swords and Edged Weapons
If you are lucky enough to be resident in the United Kingdom, there are many opportunities to source British swords and edged weapons. One of the most accessible are antique arms fairs. There is normally one being held most weeks somewhere in the country and they range from the village hall to the convention centre. A good reference for when and where these fairs are being held is the Armourer magazine – here. They list all the fairs in the UK that are being over a few months and it is handy for noting in your diary and planning your visits. The magazine is also a good read for the sword and militaria collector!
Antique Arms Fairs
Antique arms fairs are a great opportunity to source British pieces and importantly, actually handle and examine what is for sale. Even if you don’t see what you are looking for or the price is out of your budget, pick up the sword (making sure that you ask for permission to do so) and have a good look at it, noting the way it has been manufactured, the patination and general condition. Make a mental note of what you have seen and store it for future use, especially the price as similar swords, particularly official patterns, tend to sell for an average price and you do not want to be paying way over the odds for an ordinary piece. At the end of the day, experience always counts and you will no doubt buy some “howlers” in your time and learn accordingly – we have all done it and continue to do so!
Auctions
Antique swords and edged weapons can also be acquired from auction houses and give the buyer an opportunity to purchase swords that might have been in a family for many generations. They are also used by dealers to sell their unsold stock and some pieces can go on a merry-go-round as they feature in different auctions. The same can be said for antique arms fairs as pieces are sold between dealers and moved from one table to another (invariably with a higher price!).
Auction houses used to be a reasonably economical method of acquiring items but in the last couple of years (and I speak of British auctioneers) the commission charged has risen steeply and has become quite a sizeable chunk of the overall price paid for a piece. If you are happy to take that “hit”, then fair enough but always factor in the commission when considering what your highest bid should be – if you are spending several hundred pounds, a commission over 20% can be quite a sum.
The present-day collector of antique military swords inhabits a commercial environment quite unlike that of past generations. The rapid global expansion of the internet has been the most important development within the antique collecting marketplace, creating a dynamic and ever-changing platform for the sourcing and selling of military antiques.
Dedicated web sites have emerged to cater for the sword collector with both auctioneers and dealers quick to embrace the new technology. Customers now have the unique opportunity to both view and purchase antique swords directly from their own home computer.
Internet auction sites such as E-Bay have also become an important hub for both the selling and buying of antique swords. Substantial numbers of swords are traded every week and can be purchased with relative ease from almost anywhere in the world. The idea that a buyer would happily purchase any antique purely on the basis of a few photographs and a brief description would have seemed ludicrous only a few years ago, but this is exactly how antique swords are bring traded today.
This form of business is ideal for those unable to attend regular auctions and antique arms shows, but it must be made clear that this form of trading is not painless and a number of important caveats must be remembered. One of the most crucial is to ask the seller a series of detailed questions. The answers given will prove useful if the sword arrives and it does not tally with the original auction description. In the case of E-Bay, always check the seller’s feedback record as this illustrates the type of seller that you are dealing with and their previous history of transactions.
Auction Houses
The main beneficiaries of this inflationary market are the auction houses who have realised that their business now has a global reach and can offer facilities for customers to view and bid for lots online. The time has long gone when only the bidder standing on the auction floor is guaranteed to take the lots home. Commission bids now frequently win the day. Many auction houses will also send prospective bidders digital pictures of the lots via e-mail. Importantly, the emphasis is very much on the bidder to ask the appropriate questions concerning condition or provenance. Having said this, auctioneers are still right in emphasising that nothing can replace actually seeing and handling a sword yourself.
E-Commerce and antique swords
E-commerce can only expand further and looks set to be a major factor in the evolution of the market. This is not all benefit driven. It is an old adage in the antiques trade that demand invariably outstrips supply. This appears to be the current situation when trying to source good examples of antique military swords. Although it might seem that there is a reasonable quantity of swords available to buy via the internet and auctions, the actual quality of these pieces is sadly deteriorating. Examples in excellent condition are becoming extremely scarce. Added to this is the fact that prices are rising at an alarming rate.
Investment
The investment value of antique swords is obvious, and with average yearly increases of around 15-20%, you will be hard pressed to find a better return in any financial market. To date, the market shows no sign of slowing down or reversing.
Most collectors obviously do not wish to sell their coveted pieces, but it is reassuring to know that once bought, the value of a sword is likely to appreciate over time.
Knowledge
The smart collector should constantly update their knowledge of the subject. The purchase of books and the building of a sound reference library are therefore essential. If possible, make a point of buying a relevant book whenever you attend an arms show. The ability to correctly identify and value a piece will always give you the upper hand, and might even allow you to occasionally purchase a bargain. Do not assume that the dealer on the other side of the table has more knowledge than you. They do sometimes let a special piece slip through because of their own ignorance!
Arms Shows and Auctions
There is no substitute to visiting auctions, arms shows and museum collections. Go to as many as you can and follow some basic rules. When visiting an arms show, the most important rule is to take your time when inspecting a sword. Out of courtesy, always ask the dealer if you can inspect the sword. There is nothing more annoying to a dealer than to see their precious stock clumsily pawed by a novice collector. Always draw a sword out of a leather scabbard with the blade held vertically, point down, so as to avoid the danger of bending or breaking the leather at a weak point.
If the sword comes with a scabbard, put both alongside and compare the blade length with the scabbard length. Sometimes there can be a great disparity in lengths. Scabbards are easily swapped around, although some would have been legitimately replaced during their service lives.
Be wary of sword blades that do not fit snugly into the scabbard or are either loose or tight. Be also aware that with leather scabbards, a tight fit might actually be due to genuine leather shrinkage, so use sensible judgement.
Look at the patination of both the hilt and metal scabbard. Matched patination is what you are looking for. A brightly cleaned metal scabbard and dark patinated hilt are obviously suspicious. At many arms shows and auction houses the interior lighting can be quite poor. Large arenas are notorious venues where this disadvantage can hide damage, alteration and all manner of deceptions done to a sword. View the sword from as many angles as possible. Check that the blade has not been altered by looking at the tang button. It should not show any evidence of having been taken out and re-hammered back in. Unaltered tang buttons are invariably smooth and flush, with a dark age patination.
Buying
When involved in the buying process, do not be afraid to haggle with the dealer but do not offer a silly price. This is both insulting and makes you look foolish. If you have any doubts about the authenticity of a piece ask the dealer to confirm that it is genuine. Their response is normally enough to convince you either way. If the reply that you receive goes along the lines of; “I have no idea what it is.”, be very cautious. For security of mind, ask for a written receipt or official invoice with the dealer’s name, address and telephone number. The vast majority of dealers are honest and fair people so approach your purchases with a positive yet attentive mind. If attending an auction, always stick to your bid limit and don’t get carried away. Remember also to factor in the buyer’s commission when calculating your maximum bid.
Forgeries
Spurious blade engraving or etching has become a recent and troubling phenomenon. In the case of British swords, I have seen an ordinary mid-Victorian cavalry officer’s sword transformed (by the addition of a notable and distinguished name or presentation inscription) to a potentially “historic” piece. Fortunately, the modern forger tends not to possess the skills of craftsmanship inherent in their forebears, and their attempts are usually quite crude when compared with the original blade decoration. Always compare the quality of the two. New collectors will always be caught out by these deceits, and it is only through constant viewing and handling of the genuine article, that you will be able to distinguish between the right and the wrong piece. Even seasoned collectors started out by buying wrong pieces. It is a tough process that all collectors have to go through. Experience is the only educator in this fascinating field of collecting.
There are a number of specialist waxes on the market. I recommend Museum Wax or Renaissance/Becketts Wax. All these products are available from specialist hardware or gun supply shops, and a quick trawl through the internet will also locate a number of merchants who can supply mail order.
Originally raised as the King’s Royal Rifle Corps in 1755, the Rifle Brigade as we know it was formed in 1800. Initially, officers carried a lighter version of the 1796 Light Cavalry Sword and later adopted the 1803 Infantry Officer’s sword, with a strung bugle motif placed on the knucklebow. Officers were noted for their elite individuality, both in uniform and tactics, and it is no wonder that they eventually gained their own distinctive pattern of sword. The 1827 Pattern Rifle Regiment Sword is defined by an all steel hilt and the replacement of the usual royal cypher with a strung bugle in cartouche. This motif symbolised the earlier use of the bugle to control rifle troops rather than the drum favoured by the Infantry of the Line. Later in the Victorian era, nickel plated examples superseded the original steel hilt.
When compared with the 1822 Pattern, the main difference concerns the absence of a folding guard This change to the hilt was made in the Regulations of 1854. The “Wilkinson” 1845 Pattern single-fullered blade is the most common type to be found with this hilt. The 1854 Pattern had a very long service life and many examples can be found in the market. Special mention should be made concerning some excellent 1854 Pattern swords manufactured by Wilkinson. The quality of these is very apparent, especially in the sturdy hilt construction and the crisp, deep etching to thick, wide blades. A good heavy duty scabbard was also supplied in both steel and leather on steel. These swords were made for proper service use and would have undergone strenuous testing at the Wilkinson factory.
The 1822 Pattern Infantry Officer’s Sword was a radical departure from previous designs with its half basket hilt becoming the standard format for British infantry swords until the end of the nineteenth century. Distinctive features of the sword include the “Gothic” style pierced hilt, so-called after its resemblance to the shapes of windows in Gothic architecture, and the “s-shaped” folding guard. Elegant in design, the slender pipe backed blade was sheathed in a black leather scabbard with decorated gilt brass mounts. The royal cypher was placed within an oval hilt cartouche and during its lifetime, this pattern saw three monarchs (George IV, William IV and Victoria) featured. Victorian examples are pretty common with many varieties of design interpretations to the royal cypher.
Late Georgian blades are very finely etched with much less decoration than later Victorian examples. Consequently, the pre-Victorian swords tend to have very worn etching (sometimes to the point of obscurity). Up until around 1835, there would also have been a black leather hilt lining. Very few of these survive intact.
By 1800, this type of curved sabre had already been unofficially adopted by many light infantry officers, and it was only a matter of time before official recognition came in 1803. One of the most attractive of British pattern swords, it has numerous subtle variations in design, most notably to the royal cypher on the knuckle-bow and the lions-head pommel. The knucklebow can also feature either a bugle or flaming grenade above the royal crown, denoting use by both grenadiers and rifle companies. Blades were also lavishly decorated with blue and gilt. Its curved, cavalry type blade borrowed much from the eastern scimitar, and it quickly enjoyed quite a vogue amongst officers returning from the recent Egyptian campaigns. Although apparently unsuited to fighting on the ground (its curved blade would have been more effective when slashed from the saddle), style over substance seems to have won the day. Lieutenant William Smith of the 77th Foot (Middlesex Regiment) carried this pattern as he “hewed and slashed his way through the enemy” before succumbing to his many wounds at the Battle of Ciudad Rodrigo in the Peninsular War. Most examples are found without scabbards but it is worth holding on until you can locate a complete piece. This sword looks most attractive when paired with its gilt brass mounted scabbard. Examples with ivory grips were likely to have been carried by more senior officers.
The 1796 Pattern was the mainstay of the British Infantry Officer for over 25 years and the design influenced many other countries, most notably the United States, where the Model 1840 non-commissioned officer’s sword bears a striking resemblance. Its obvious defects and fighting inadequacy were no doubt the cause of many unnecessary deaths amongst British officers. Protection to the hand was minimal, and the blade was rather thin and flimsy.
