British 1821/96(?) heavy cavalry officers sword

drac2k · 8th May 2015, 01:03 PM

Thank you for your extensive and informative answer.The sword must have been for a very tall fellow as the blade measures approx. 36 1/2" x 1 1/8" at the base.Would the 4 digit number on the spine be a batch number, an issue number, a model number, etc.,?

Jim McDougall · 8th May 2015, 04:34 PM

My pleasure. It's always interesting to research these weapons to place them as firmly as possible in more defined context. In this way we can better appreciate the history around them. This was an extremely colorful period and exciting to imagine the pageantry and tradition in which this beautiful sword must have been surrounded.

As officers purchased their own kit, such numbers were not 'issuance' numbers but could well have been 'style' or 'pattern' numbers used by the purveyors. It seems Wilkinson had such numbers assigned to sword types, but of course they were known for the outstanding record keeping in swords they supplied.
The best source for further answers would be Mr. Wilkinson-Latham.
Thank you again for sharing this sword.

8th May 2015, 01:03 PM	#1
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,281	Thank you for your extensive and informative answer.The sword must have been for a very tall fellow as the blade measures approx. 36 1/2" x 1 1/8" at the base.Would the 4 digit number on the spine be a batch number, an issue number, a model number, etc.,?

8th May 2015, 04:34 PM	#2
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,562	My pleasure. It's always interesting to research these weapons to place them as firmly as possible in more defined context. In this way we can better appreciate the history around them. This was an extremely colorful period and exciting to imagine the pageantry and tradition in which this beautiful sword must have been surrounded. As officers purchased their own kit, such numbers were not 'issuance' numbers but could well have been 'style' or 'pattern' numbers used by the purveyors. It seems Wilkinson had such numbers assigned to sword types, but of course they were known for the outstanding record keeping in swords they supplied. The best source for further answers would be Mr. Wilkinson-Latham. Thank you again for sharing this sword.