C.1850 Royal Scots Fusiliers/Scots Guards Officer’s & NCO’s Sword

LOWLAND REGIMENTS OF THE BRITISH ARMY adopted the official 1822 and 1845 Pattern infantry sword but one regiment, the 21st (Royal North British Fusiliers), later to be re-designated the Royal Scots Fusiliers, chose to carry a distinctive regimental pattern that kept the 1822 Pattern “Gothic” hilt but replaced the royal cypher and crown with a regimental device comprising the regiment’s number (“21st”), surrounded by thistles and above that, a scroll displaying the regiment’s name, “ROYAL SCOTS FUSILIERS”.  Underneath the regimental device is another scroll with the motto of the regiment, “NEMO ME IMPUNE LACESSIT” (No one attacks me with impunity).  The hilt backpiece is also decorated with thistles and there is a shield langet with flaming grenade device.  This particular pattern of sword was dropped in 1881, when the regiment adopted the traditional basket hilt of 1828 Pattern.

The Scots Guards also issued a specific style of sword to their sergeants, with most dating to around the 1840’s-1850’s.  The hilt comprises a D-shaped, pierced knucklebow, into which is inserted a thistle badge and regimental motto.  The pommel is of lionshead form, with a part-lion mane backstrap.  Blades were plain and of standard pattern type, with both 1822 and 1845 Patterns used.  Scabbards were black leather with a brass-mounted locket and chape.

© 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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