steph

Unfortunatly no Brian Robson, I will have a scout about in some other libraries in the area.

Steph,

Well done going to the library. That is a step most people skip, unfortunately. Books really are a key ingredient to understanding and further knowledge in this field. If your library has a copy of Swords of the British Army by Brian Robson, that is teh standard text on the subject. The Wilkinson-Latham book has some unique photos and illustrations, but the text is quite outdated.

Jonathan

Hi Thomas,

Have been up to local library and found, John Wilkinson Latham, British military Swords From 1800 to Present Day. Page 40, describes this sword as being issued to Medical Staff-sergents

prior to 1865. After this they were required to carry a sword bayonet. It was refered to as a "drummers sword".

And there we go Steph. A good deal better than I think you would have got languishing in the previous sub-forum. Jonathan knows his swords. Please let us know how you get along further. All experiences and details would help the next person.

Jonathan, would you have a "name", model etc, for this sword?

regards

Thomas

What can I say! Awsome site.

Had a look on the oldswords.com website, there appears to be two versions of the sabre one with a brass hilt, which was the N.C.O's version and one with a steel hilt which was the privates version. There are no metal brackets attatched to the scabbard which matches the one on the website, which is covered in leather with leather straps. It was issued to the Army Hospital Corps 1857-1880.

Steph

Had a look on the oldswords.com website, there appears to be two versions of the sabre one with a brass hilt, which was the N.C.O's version and one with a steel hilt which was the privates version. There are no metal brackets attatched to the scabbard which matches the one on the website, which is covered in leather with leather straps. It was issued to the Army Hospital Corps 1857-1880.

Steph

Many thanks for your time and effort. I would be greatful if you could send me details of a dealer to get a valuation.

Regards

Steph

I think that it is quite likely brass or a related alloy of some sort. I do not suggest polishing the sword, but if it is dirty or if there is active rust I would address those problems. There is an excellent article on sword conservation here:

http://swordforum.co...onservation.php

As to the origin, I thought I had mentioned it but I guess I dod not. It is a British sword.

Jonathan

Hi Jonathan,

That looks very much like it, though i'm not sure what type of metal the hilt is made of it will have to have a clean; any idea on the origin?

Here is an example of the cast iron grip. Its paint has probably been polished away at some point (photo from oldswords.com):

Hi Peter,

The hand grip is wood.

Steph

Steph

Is the hand grip wooden on this piece? I just noticed that it looks as if it might be, which I think is unusual for British swords. Or is it just very old black leather and missing the wire wrap?

Peter

Hi Jonathan,

Many thanks for your help I have had a good look at the sword and scabbard there aren't any markings on them, any I deas on value?

This pattern was in use in the first half of the 19th century, and was a sidearms for customs or the coast guard (or some such service--my memory is fuzzy without a book in front of me!), and later in the 19th century it was used by other ranks of the Army Hospital Corps. A similar sword was also used by buglers in the Indian Army of the Raj. Are there any markings on the sword or scabbard?

Jonathan

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Hi can anyone help identify this old sabre found in the attic of an old farmhouse in Wales.