British 1821/96(?) heavy cavalry officers sword

Jim McDougall · 3rd May 2015, 03:30 AM

As far as I know, Wilkinson was the only maker recording serial numbers and issues (officers swords only of course). They started in around 1856 if not mistaken, Robert Wilkinson-Latham often writes online and would likely know more.
These 1821 swords for heavy cavalry were mostly produced starting around 1829, as were the solid steel bowl versions for troopers. I do not recall details on how the 1896 versions for 'all' cavalry officers differed (check "Swords of the British Army", Brian Robson, 1975, and revised edition , do not recall date).

I had one of the Hamburger, Rogers & Co. swords with pierced bowl for heavy cavalry officers....it seems they were outfitters rather than makers.
There might be information in the comprehensive listings in "Swords for Sea Service" (Annis & May) or in Southwicks work on London swordmakers.

The numbers to me seem like lot or order numbers....I recall a Reeves M1821 light cavalry troopers sword with the numbers 111 next to 'REEVES', so could not have been an 'issue' number.

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3rd May 2015, 03:30 AM	#2
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,562	As far as I know, Wilkinson was the only maker recording serial numbers and issues (officers swords only of course). They started in around 1856 if not mistaken, Robert Wilkinson-Latham often writes online and would likely know more. These 1821 swords for heavy cavalry were mostly produced starting around 1829, as were the solid steel bowl versions for troopers. I do not recall details on how the 1896 versions for 'all' cavalry officers differed (check "Swords of the British Army", Brian Robson, 1975, and revised edition , do not recall date). I had one of the Hamburger, Rogers & Co. swords with pierced bowl for heavy cavalry officers....it seems they were outfitters rather than makers. There might be information in the comprehensive listings in "Swords for Sea Service" (Annis & May) or in Southwicks work on London swordmakers. The numbers to me seem like lot or order numbers....I recall a Reeves M1821 light cavalry troopers sword with the numbers 111 next to 'REEVES', so could not have been an 'issue' number.