Pattern British Sword?

[Jim McDougall]

Given the character etc. I'd say other ranks (enlisted) but remember that officers often had plain jane weapons for use in fighting situations. While not typically expected to engage in the fray, but to direct, battle situations are dynamic and no telling when spillover could reach them.....so a sound sword, no frills was of course preferred.

The composite character here suggests again, assembly of preferred blade to familiar hilt for such purposes.


This is a mid 18th c. munitions grade basket hilt for foot regiments, this style known used by Black Watch, and assembled by Nathaniel Jeffries in London.
These were in use until the Revolution ended 1783, and infantry ranks ceased carrying swords, turning to use of bayonet.

These swords were turned in, and held in stores, but it appears the hilt on this was mounted to a M1788 light cavalry blade, perhaps in 1790s? or later. I have seen two other examples of this combination since I acquired this in the 1970s, so these appear 'one off' combinations possibly for fighting swords for officers of Highland regiments? The point is, unusual combination of a hilt to a preferred blade type. The original blades on these were of course straight so officers later preferring sabre blade to their traditional hilts seems logical.