regiment markings on swords

Jim McDougall · 20th September 2011, 10:42 PM

Hi Michael,
Thank you very much for the response. Actually I have not been a collector of anything (except dust and yellowed notes) for many years.

It must have been fascinating to have access to these collections! I recall many years ago when visiting a British Brigadier who had been posted with a Bengal Lancers unit near the Khyber in the 1930s. He had a few swords from one of these old armouries, one of which was a stirrup hilted colonial cavalry sabre with markings which identified to the 13th Bengal Lancers. The sabre was identical to one I had and confirmed the type.

While the POW feathers were attributed to the 10th Hussars as the emblem of the Prince of Wales personal unit as far as cavalry, there of course may have been other units in the army under his favor. Naturally these marks or inscriptions would appear on the swords of officers as these were personal weapons, while those to the troopers were rather randomly issued and property of the regiment.
BTW, that pamphlet I spoke of is "British and German Regimental Markings" by Hughes and Fox (I think even some Canadian marks are in there). I'm sure you have "Swords of the British Army" by Brian Robson, which is the absolute reference on these in my opinion, and serves as excellent benchmark for research.

All best regards,
Jim

20th September 2011, 10:42 PM	#8
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,364	Hi Michael, Thank you very much for the response. Actually I have not been a collector of anything (except dust and yellowed notes) for many years. It must have been fascinating to have access to these collections! I recall many years ago when visiting a British Brigadier who had been posted with a Bengal Lancers unit near the Khyber in the 1930s. He had a few swords from one of these old armouries, one of which was a stirrup hilted colonial cavalry sabre with markings which identified to the 13th Bengal Lancers. The sabre was identical to one I had and confirmed the type. While the POW feathers were attributed to the 10th Hussars as the emblem of the Prince of Wales personal unit as far as cavalry, there of course may have been other units in the army under his favor. Naturally these marks or inscriptions would appear on the swords of officers as these were personal weapons, while those to the troopers were rather randomly issued and property of the regiment. BTW, that pamphlet I spoke of is "British and German Regimental Markings" by Hughes and Fox (I think even some Canadian marks are in there). I'm sure you have "Swords of the British Army" by Brian Robson, which is the absolute reference on these in my opinion, and serves as excellent benchmark for research. All best regards, Jim Last edited by Jim McDougall; 21st September 2011 at 05:37 PM.