Jonathan Hopkins

I am not generally a fan of Wilkinson's late 20th century presentation or commemorative swords, but that one looks very nice. Thank you for sharing!

Thank you, Mervyn! I am glad the review was of help. I have known Richard through online fora since 2006 and I have had the pleasure of meeting him in person. He is the sort of person who is a font of knowledge, and after speaking with him one thinks, "He should write a book!" And now he has!

I have added links in the book reviews section. Thank you!

Here are links to my REVIEW of The British Cavalry Sword 1788-1912: Some New Perspectives and my INTERVIEW with the author.

Mervyn, It has been a while, hasn't it? My absence is due to a few factors; a cross country move, being a member of too many internet for a and getting a bit burned out, and I have not been actively collecting for a few years. But all is well with me, thanks! Richard's book is of a similar scale as Brian Robson's book, but with a focus on cavalry swords. As far as I know there are two distributors of the book--Richard himself through his website, and Stuart Mowbray in the USA. Jonathan

I just wanted to alert members to a new book by Richard Dellar; The British Cavalry Sword 1788-1912: Some New Perspectives. It is a very well researched and high quality publication and it is generously illustrated with color photos. I highly recommend it! Here is a link to the book's website: http://thebritishcavalrysword.com/

I agree on all points, Brian. I will post this in the lost/stolen section, too (I just noticed it ).

A large collection of British military swords from the Victorian period through WWI was recently stolen. All are Wilkinsons and should be easy to spot based on the serial numbers. Here is a link to a complete list and other details: http://www.tokenpublishing.com/news.asp?gid=14&nid=776

Mervyn, I have not been able to find a match. Admittedly, my post-1900 sources are thin on the ground. Perhaps a member with Army Lists of the period can help. Jonathan

It looks like some Dutch and Danish hilts c.1800. I do not think it has Indian origins.

Not my area at all, but it looks like a Continental sword from c.1800 give or take.

Mervyn, The 1st VB may have had its own special pattern, or the officer may have transferred to an artillery unit or the ASC and elected to simply have his sword re-hilted rather than endure the expense of a completely new sword. Have you looked into the initials at all? I will see what I can find... The cypher looks like the double reversed initials ER, for Edward VII, so this is a post-1901 sword. Jonathan

Mervyn, It has been a slow year for me, unfortunately. Jonathan

Mervyn, Not my area of specialty at all, but it looks more like a French Mle. 1845 infantry officer's sword, or possibly a Belgian Mle. 1850 (based on the French Mle. 1845). I can't make out the etching on the blade--what does it say? Are there any other markings on the sword? Jonathan

I don't recall if the alleged complaint is covered here, but for further reading on the 1796 patterns I highly recommend the articles by Richard Dellar which are online here: http://www.swordsand...ageNum=1&aID=10 It is possible that you sword (and mine) were actually assembled in England with English-made hilts and German blades.