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Advisory Panel
Is it possible it was assembled from parts...maybe a hundred years or so ago? Like from multiple swords?
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09-17-2019 11:26 PM
# ADS
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Legacy Member
Is it possible it was assembled from parts...maybe a hundred years or so ago? Like from multiple swords?
I met an extremely knowledgable gentleman at the last local militaria show. It was he who pointed me in the right direction and a search for East India Company sword showed almost exactly my sword, the only difference being it bore the royal cypher of William IV. Though officers were allowed some latitude in the regulations, swords had to adhere to the "sealed" pattern. For instance, when the Wilkinson style blade was adopted for the 1822 pattern sword (1845), the military allowed officers to wear the old pattern, like mine, until they were worn out or the officer wished to replace it. The grip pattern however never changed during it's service life. Can I state positively that it was not assembled from parts? No, not having been around then (old as I am), but it is most likely and EIC sword. As an addendum, I've been tweaking the grip and it's about 85% back to rights.
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Thank You to lawrence_n For This Useful Post:
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Advisory Panel
I read the order from Queen Victoria stating that "We'd be pleased if our officers would adopt a standard pattern of sword and the Snr NCOs would cease carrying the Spontoon..." Thought that was neat. I guess they still had problems then.
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Legacy Member
I've had to do a lot of work to correct the guard damage, but I'm near to done. My arthritis tells me I've pushed the envelope a little too hard. Here's what the guard looks like now. Though far from perfect, it's 100% better than when it came into my possession. Enjoy.
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Advisory Panel
Nice looking battle blade. Nice...
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Legacy Member
I've been looking at other examples of EIC blades and I'm pretty certain, now that I was on the right research track, that this is indeed one of those. Any idea about rarity and/or value? I'm not too knowledgeable about EIC equipment and I have no clue where it sits in relation to regular military equipment. It is scarcer, or more common, or on par? From what I've seen as exemplars, EIC stuff swords seem to command a premium from collectors. Any thoughts or input would be most appreciated.
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Advisory Panel
No idea except it would be more than I could afford for a sword.
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Legacy Member
*UPDATE* Well, it turns out that I have something of a "head-scratcher" here! I've posted pics of the thing on several sites and was put into contact with a most knowledgeable gentleman in the U.K. At first glance, it would seem to be a standard 1822 pattern. Oddly, the royal cypher does not conform to the mandated pattern for this sword. The cypher is solid, not pierced, and it lacks the floral spray of the sealed pattern. Add to that the fact that the pommel and grip back strap also don't conform to the sealed pattern and it becomes a mystery sword. Could it have been a "trials" sword? A transitional sword of some sort? Something submitted by Reeves for consideration? At this point, it's anyone's guess, barring definitive information or another example of this sword with a known provenance.
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Advisory Panel
Still think it would be a neat example...even just as an example of pipeback. Maybe it's what we thought, parts and an offshore colonial possession. Or hold onto it until you find out it's rare.
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Contributing Member
You try asking the Royal Armouries Museum at Leeds, UK. Whether or not they can help I don't know.
Royal Armouries | National museums of arms and armour
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