British pattern Infantry sword....please help

katana · 19th December 2006, 04:16 PM

Just added this sword to my collection.....wanted to have some 'colonial' weapons....which possibly would have seen service in Africa, India etc. to put the Ethnographic weapons, of the same period, into some sort of context.

I need help identify the pattern and possible age of this sword.....nicely balanced and very manouverable. O.A.L 31", blade has single wide fuller and has a few, very faint traces of etched patterns. Some very old nicks to the blade but overall good.
I noticed on one side of the blade some pitting (in a localised area)which seemed 'not quite right'.....investigating the 'pits' with a Jewelers loupe I found there are some very minute pieces of 'foreign' metal fragments 'inbedded' in the 'craters'. (when I say minute, I mean they are not really visible to the naked eye) I am certain they are not impurites forged into the blade, perhaps suggesting shrapnel

The proof mark has 'MB' in an Italic style.

This sword has certainly seen some action..... and probably has 'many a tale to tell'.....

Please any comments or info.....as usual....very gratefully received

Regards David

19th December 2006, 04:16 PM	#1
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,653	British pattern Infantry sword....please help Just added this sword to my collection.....wanted to have some 'colonial' weapons....which possibly would have seen service in Africa, India etc. to put the Ethnographic weapons, of the same period, into some sort of context. I need help identify the pattern and possible age of this sword.....nicely balanced and very manouverable. O.A.L 31", blade has single wide fuller and has a few, very faint traces of etched patterns. Some very old nicks to the blade but overall good. I noticed on one side of the blade some pitting (in a localised area)which seemed 'not quite right'.....investigating the 'pits' with a Jewelers loupe I found there are some very minute pieces of 'foreign' metal fragments 'inbedded' in the 'craters'. (when I say minute, I mean they are not really visible to the naked eye) I am certain they are not impurites forged into the blade, perhaps suggesting shrapnel The proof mark has 'MB' in an Italic style. This sword has certainly seen some action..... and probably has 'many a tale to tell'..... Please any comments or info.....as usual....very gratefully received Regards David Attached Images