Ethnographic Arms & Armour - View Single Post - British M1803 Flank Officer's Sword with Modification?

Radboud · 12th December 2021, 07:41 AM

Hi Drack,

According to John McGrath and Mark Barton, “British Naval Swords & Swordsmanship”

It is probable that 1803 Pattern swords were carried by officers of the Royal Marines and Royal Navy. Some variations exist with a fouled anchor replacing the strung bugle or flaming grenade. But without such modifications or a clear provenance to a named officer it is impossible to link an individual sword to any service.

I would not take the shortening of the tip as an indication that the officer who owned the sword transferred to naval service, thereby deciding to shorten the blade.

Unfortunately too much time has passed (your sword is 200 years old!) to draw any meaningful conclusions on who used it and why it was modified.

Cheers
Bas

12th December 2021, 07:41 AM	#2
Radboud Member Join Date: Sep 2021 Location: New Zealand Posts: 277	Hi Drack, According to John McGrath and Mark Barton, “British Naval Swords & Swordsmanship” It is probable that 1803 Pattern swords were carried by officers of the Royal Marines and Royal Navy. Some variations exist with a fouled anchor replacing the strung bugle or flaming grenade. But without such modifications or a clear provenance to a named officer it is impossible to link an individual sword to any service. I would not take the shortening of the tip as an indication that the officer who owned the sword transferred to naval service, thereby deciding to shorten the blade. Unfortunately too much time has passed (your sword is 200 years old!) to draw any meaningful conclusions on who used it and why it was modified. Cheers Bas Last edited by Radboud; 12th December 2021 at 07:44 AM. Reason: Manners