Ethnographic Arms & Armour - View Single Post - 1821 Variation for an Indian Officer Circa 1837?

Cathey · 14th October 2012, 07:14 AM

Nationality: British/Indian?
Overall Length: 39 5/8” inches
Blade length: 34 ¼” inches
Blade widest point: 1 7/16” inches
Inside grip length including ferrule: 4 7/16” inches

Description
1821 Pattern light cavalry Officers sword. Steel mounted, three bar variant hilt, lacking thumb guard (completely fat on off side). Sharkskin covered silver wire bound grip, backpiece with smooth thumb rest and rounded stepped pommel. The 34 ¼ “blade (un sharpened) is etched full length on both sides with large foliate designs including areas of false damask pattern; each side is also etched with a narrow cartouche beginning at approx 7” from the hilt and extending 9”in length, containing what appears to be a varying (different each side) group of Sanskrit characters. Ricasso area on both sides is etched with what appears to be a cross in the St. Andrew's style. Regulation pattern steel scabbard with drag and two loose sling rings.

General Remarks
General appearance of this sword suggests European manufacture, likely special order in the late William IV or early Victorian period for a British officer of East India company irregular cavalry. Notable for the exceptional width and curvature of blade as compared to a British regulation pattern of the same period. Unfortunately, the blade is not signed or marked.

Thank you Gordon Byrnes for assisting with this description.

This is an odd one and I would appreciate any thoughts in relation to its possible provenance and identification of the Sanskrit characters?

Cheers Cathey and Rex

14th October 2012, 07:14 AM	#1
Cathey Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: adelaide south australia Posts: 276	1821 Variation for an Indian Officer Circa 1837? Nationality: British/Indian? Overall Length: 39 5/8” inches Blade length: 34 ¼” inches Blade widest point: 1 7/16” inches Inside grip length including ferrule: 4 7/16” inches Description 1821 Pattern light cavalry Officers sword. Steel mounted, three bar variant hilt, lacking thumb guard (completely fat on off side). Sharkskin covered silver wire bound grip, backpiece with smooth thumb rest and rounded stepped pommel. The 34 ¼ “blade (un sharpened) is etched full length on both sides with large foliate designs including areas of false damask pattern; each side is also etched with a narrow cartouche beginning at approx 7” from the hilt and extending 9”in length, containing what appears to be a varying (different each side) group of Sanskrit characters. Ricasso area on both sides is etched with what appears to be a cross in the St. Andrew's style. Regulation pattern steel scabbard with drag and two loose sling rings. General Remarks General appearance of this sword suggests European manufacture, likely special order in the late William IV or early Victorian period for a British officer of East India company irregular cavalry. Notable for the exceptional width and curvature of blade as compared to a British regulation pattern of the same period. Unfortunately, the blade is not signed or marked. Thank you Gordon Byrnes for assisting with this description. This is an odd one and I would appreciate any thoughts in relation to its possible provenance and identification of the Sanskrit characters? Cheers Cathey and Rex Attached Images