Mervyn Mitton Posted January 8, 2013 Posted January 8, 2013 This is an Artillery Officer's Sword - British and with the identifying three bar hilt. The condition is actually not that bad - but, for some reason a previous owner has had it chrome plated. Swords are nickel and whilst you occasionally come across a silver plated blade - chrome is a 'no-no'. Firstly -- it looks like chrome with the bright finish - secondly, it puts a thick film over the etching on the blade. very obvious in this case. I can make out that it is a sword by the famous maker's Hobson - and it has the Royal Arms - but, I'm not sure if it is a Queen's Crown or, for Edward 7th. ? I would certainly say pre-1914. The scabbard is missing - broken accidentally by the seller's Father. Not an easy thing to do - even the field scabbard of pig skin has an inner liner. However, you can buy scabbards fairly easily on the web. However, before you do so - always measure the blade. British blades can be between 33inches and 37inches - dependent on how tall the officer is. For this sword it is a 35 inch blade ( 72.5cm) I will show a few pictures to show how the chrome looks out of place. ............................................http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_01_2013/post-6209-0-20895900-1357659067.jpgclick..............................
Mervyn Mitton Posted January 8, 2013 Author Posted January 8, 2013 .............................................................http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_01_2013/post-6209-0-90418400-1357659256.jpgclick....................................
Mervyn Mitton Posted January 8, 2013 Author Posted January 8, 2013 ........................................................http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_01_2013/post-6209-0-12022000-1357659383.jpgclick...........................
QSAMIKE Posted January 8, 2013 Posted January 8, 2013 Mervyn...... I have seen this before...... During the Stampede Parade last summer I saw an American high school band and they had a colour party guarded by two people with old 303's, bolt missing that had been painted white and two 1796 Light Cavalry Swords that had been chromed....... I just about cried....... Mike
Mervyn Mitton Posted January 8, 2013 Author Posted January 8, 2013 ........................................................http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_01_2013/post-6209-0-13433100-1357659933.jpgclick...................................
Mervyn Mitton Posted January 8, 2013 Author Posted January 8, 2013 Mike - we see this a lot in Sth. Africa. All sorts of units wanted an Honour Guard - and chromed the bayonets - usually the 1907 pattern. Very hard to have it removed - although I will have a metal place have a look at this sword. Mervyn
Brian Wolfe Posted January 8, 2013 Posted January 8, 2013 Sad that this ever happens. Let us know what the metal place says. Regards Brian
Spasm Posted January 8, 2013 Posted January 8, 2013 I used to get a fair bit of chromework done when chopping bikes, a fair bit of stuff was 'orrible and needed re-chroming. The plating works also took off the old chrome for me. I believe they used their vats of acid and reversed the polarity of the tank so the chrome came off just as it was put on. I tried all the home methods of coke and acid and sandblasting - don't bother. The plating works will know what to do depending on whether there's a coat of nickel underneath or if its on steel, bass or ali. Cheap as chips too.
Rich Yankowski Posted January 10, 2013 Posted January 10, 2013 Here's another way to ruin a sword,convert it into a 'fighting' knive!Eickhorn with back to back tree rodents.
Paul R Posted January 11, 2013 Posted January 11, 2013 That has to be a postwar souvenir.... Still, crazy looking.
Mervyn Mitton Posted January 11, 2013 Author Posted January 11, 2013 During the 1st WW - with all of the intense trench fighting - there was a great need for fighting knives. You must remember that it was not until WW2 that the commando pattern came into use - introduced by Captains Fairburn and Sykes. The base workshops - for both the British and the Germans - converted many swords and bayonets into trench knives. One of the most popular conversions for the British was the 1880's style Martini Henry bayonet. This was already a shortish bayonet and was double sided for the blade.
QSAMIKE Posted January 11, 2013 Posted January 11, 2013 During the 1st WW - with all of the intense trench fighting - there was a great need for fighting knives. You must remember that it was not until WW2 that the commando pattern came into use - introduced by Captains Fairburn and Sykes. The base workshops - for both the British and the Germans - converted many swords and bayonets into trench knives. One of the most popular conversions for the British was the 1880's style Martini Henry bayonet. This was already a shortish bayonet and was double sided for the blade. One that was converted as well was the Ross Rife bayonet, since the soldiers did not like the rifle they put the bayonet to good use..... Mike
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