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Harvey J S WithersTheBRITISHSWORD FROM 1600 TO THE PRESENT DAYAn Illustrated HistoryWITH OVER 12,000 PHOTOGRAPHS OF BRITISHSWORDS

2415ROYAL CYPHERS & COATS OF ARMSGeorge III (GR) hilt cyphers to 1803 Pattern Infantry Flank Officers’ swords.George III royal crowns to blades.George III royal GR cyphers to blades.George III royal GR cyphers to blades.George III royal coats of arms to blades.George III royal crowns and cyphers to blades.George III royal crownsto hilts.

THE ENGLISH INFANTRY SWORD in the SEVENTEENTH CENTURYTHE ENGLISH INFANTRY HANGERwas a popular form of short sword in mid-17th Century England and carried by both civilian and soldier alike. They are also commonly described as hunting swords and served many functions, being utilised as a handy sword of defence for the civilian about town and a good, close combat sword in the field of battle. Although the short infantry or hunting hanger, was a common sword type throughout Europe, a distinctively English version began to emerge in the mid-17th Century. It is noted for its relative consistency in design and styling. The English hanger typically consists of two shell guards, with a larger, scallop-shaped guard to the front and a smaller, upturned version to the rear. Better quality examples are frequently decorated with inlaid silver, dot and trellis patterns to the shell guard, hilt bars and knucklebows. Many have chiselled iron hilts, sometimes pierced and decorated in the manner of mortuary or Cavalier hilts. The decoration is frequently continued to the knucklebow, which is then attached to a scrolled pommel by means of a large and prominent iron screw. Grips were made from a variety of materials including staghorn, bone and occasionally, ivory. Blades are short and wide, straight or slightly curved and single or double-edged (most being double-edged towards the point). Sawback blades are known and probably indicate a hunting rather than infantry or civilian role although it could be utilised as a military weapon if required. This was the time when armies could be of a makeshift nature and a wide and sometimes eclectic assortment of edged weaponry taken into the field of battle, some little more than agricultural implements. English made hangers from the first quarter of the 17th Century were also produced with brass bird or animal-head pommels and simple, fluted shell guards and iron grips. The large, coiled hilt quillons are very similar to those found on English duelling rapiers of the period. Many hanger blades were imported from the continent, particularly Germany, but a considerable number were also manufactured in England. A famous example of an indigenous maker of this sword type was the Hounslow sword manufactory, an ill-fated and short-lived sword making venture located just outside London at Hounslow Heath. Employing both English and foreign (mainly German immigrant) sword makers, it was known particularly for the production of iron and brass-hilted hangers and broadswords. 2458ENGLISH INFANTRY HANGERSThe founder of the factory was Benjamin Stone and under his auspices, large quantities of swords were produced for King Charles I during the 1630’s. The factory was subsequently closed by the Parliamentarians during the early years of the English Civil War as they distrusted Stone’s Royalist sympathies. Other Hounslow sword makers (and names frequently noted on English sword blades of the time) include Joannes Kindt, Johannes Hopp(i)e and Joseph Jenckes. The name Hounslow is also engraved directly onto blades and there are a number of spelling variations, including “Hunslow”, “Hounslo” and “Hounsloe”. They also engraved a “running wolf” mark to their blades in imitation of contemporary German (Solingen) sword makers.A number of high quality Hounslow hangers dating from the time of the English Civil War were thought to have been specially manufactured for officers of the Trained Bands of London, a militia regiment formed on a county basis and staffed by freeholders, householders and merchants. Militia officers are likely to have purchased their own hangers and from the superior quality of some surviving examples, the cost would have been quite considerable. At the end of the 17th Century, immigrant German sword makers also established an extensive sword making community in Shotley Bridge, County Durham, in the north of the country. The abundance of iron ore deposits and the fast flowing River Derwent created the ideal conditions for sword production. A number of infantry hangers are known to carry the name of “SHOTLEY BRIDG” on their blades. One of the former members of the Hounslow sword making enterprise, Hermann Mohll, later came back to England from Germany after the failure of the Hounslow factory in 1658, and began working at Shotley Bridge, which in 1691, changed its name to the Hollow Sword Blade Co. and began importing and manufacturing ‘hollow blade rapiers’, a forerunner of the 18th Century smallsword.It was here that we later see the development of a hollow-ground or triangular-shaped blade that greatly enhanced the strength and durability of the burgeoning smallsword type in the late-17th and early 18th Century. Unfortunately, in 1702, Mr Mohll was arrested for illegally smuggling 100 hollow-ground sword blades from Germany and the Shotley Bridge sword mills were abruptly closed. Hermann Mohll must have extricated himself from this local difficultly as he subsequently anglicised his name to Mole and the business reopened in 1716, eventually being sold to another noted sword maker, William Oley, in 1724, when his son, William, finally moved the sword business to Birmingham where it became a famous and prodigious sword supplier to the British Army during the 19th Century.

A LARGE ENGLISHofficer’s backsword with a long, tapering, single-edged blade. It is double-edged towards the point with a central fuller running the entire length of the blade. There is also a slim fuller along the back edge. The plain hilt has a knuckle guard flanked by two diagonal bars with the top of the bars slotted into a cushion-shaped pommel. The grip is wire bound with a fishskin and Turk’s Head ferrules.82A 17TH CENTURYProto-Mortuary-Hilted broadsword. With a double-edged blade exhibiting a shallow, central fuller. The iron hilt comprises a simply shaped guard with a scrolled rear quillon and knuckle guard with S-shaped side bars. It has a large globular pommel and ribbed wooden grip retaining its original thick steel twistwire. THE ENGLISH MILITARY BROADSWORD in the SEVENTEENTH CENTURYC.1640’sENGLISH MILITARYBROADSWORDC.1640’sENGLISH MILITARYBROADSWORDC.1640’sENGLISH MILITARYBROADSWORDRight below:A GOOD ENGLISHofficer’s backsword with a broad double-edged blade and shallow fuller running almost the entire length of the blade. The fullers are stamped to each side: “FERARA”. The iron hilt comprises a solid guard, chiselled with scrolling foliage, human heads and the Green Man’s face. The knuckle guard is connected to one bifurcated bar on each side and displays chiselled foliage work with foliage. It is screwed to the chiselled, globular pommel.C.1640’sENGLISH MILITARYBROADSWORDENGLISH MILITARYBROADSWORDBROADSWORDImages courtesy of Garth VincentAntique Arms and ArmourImages courtesy of Garth Vincent Antique Arms and ArmourImages courtesy of Garth Vincent Antique Arms and ArmourImages courtesy of Garth Vincent Antique Arms and ArmourImages courtesy of Garth Vincent Antique Arms and ArmourImages courtesy of Garth Vincent Antique Arms and ArmourImages courtesy of Garth Vincent Antique Arms and ArmourMusketeer, c.1640.

THE SCOTTISH HIGHLAND BROADSWORD in the SEVENTEENTH CENTURY95THIS COMPLEX basket hilt of ribbon form includes a series of flattened and wide hilt bars, with grooved decoration and a bulbous, mushroom-shaped pommel. It has a double-edged, multi-fullered, broadsword blade and narrow, v-shaped langets that are placed against the forte to both sides. An armourer’s mark is engraved to the blade. THE CONSISTENT DARKage patina to this basket hilt is an indication that it has probably remained uncleaned for a considerable period of time and possibly since its original manufacture in the early 17th Century. The pommel is cone-shaped, with a flattened tang button. A wide, channelled fuller runs down from the blade forte marked: “ANDREA FERARA”. Below that is an engraved, running wolf mark of Solingen, Germany. The grip is wrapped with the original fishskin but has lost its twistwire. The side-hilt bars have a reversed, S-shaped bar.MANY RIBBON-HILTEDbroadwords feature wide, double-edged blades and this is a good example. It has a deep, central fuller that extends for most of the blades’s length. Within the fuller, a maker’s name of “ANDREA FERARA” has been deeply engraved. This relates to the famous Italian swordsmith but might easily be spurious.Scottish Highland Targe or Shield, c.1740.C.1650’sSCOTTISH HIGHLANDBROADSWORDC.1650’sSCOTTISH HIGHLANDBROADSWORDC.1650’sSCOTTISH HIGHLANDBROADSWORD

113AN ENGLISH CUP-HILTrapier from the mid-17th Century. With a tapering, slender blade of flattened oval section and short, deep fuller to both sides. It is stamped with the bladesmiths name:“ANDREA XXX”The iron hilt comprises a fluted cup-hilt with recurving quillions, linked by scrolled side-bars to the knuckle-guard. It has a faceted round pommel, and grip bound with steel twistwire. A FINE ENGLISH CIVIL War period dish-hilt rapier with upward and downward hilt quillons. The blade is double-edged with a deep central fuller. The copper twistwire grip is quite distinctive, having a double bulge to the centre. The knuckleguard is attached to the ovoid pommel by means of a screw.C.1640’sENGLISH DISH-HILTRAPIERC.1640’sENGLISH CUP-HILTRAPIERTHE ENGLISH RAPIER & SMALLSWORD in the SEVENTEENTH CENTURYAN ENGLISH CUP-HILTrapier from the mid-17th Century. With a tapering, slender blade of flattened oval section and short, deep fuller to both sides. It is stamped with the bladesmiths name:The iron hilt comprises a fluted cup-hilt with recurving quillions, linked by scrolled side-bars to the knuckle-guard. It has a faceted round pommel, and grip bound with steel twistwire. Right:THIS ENGLISH CUP-HILTrapier has a most prominent and substantial grooved pommel and exhibits a scalloped edged, cup hilt. The blade is double-edged.C.1640’sENGLISH CUP-HILTRAPIERWITH FLUTED POMMEL and scalloped cup.C.1640’sENGLISH CUP-HILTRAPIERImages courtesy of Garth Vincent Antique Arms and ArmourImage courtesy of Garth Vincent Antique Arms and ArmourA Pikeman. Taken from “Exercise of Armes”, Jacob de Gheyn (1607).James, Duke of Ormond (1610-1688). Lord Lieutenant of Ireland.

1786PATTERNINFANTRYOFFICER’SSWORD189A VERY FINE AND ORIGINALexample of this iconic British Napoleonic infantry officer’s sword. This pattern of sword was not in production for long as it was soon superceded by the 1796 Pattern and is differentiated by having a fixed double shell guard. It was later replaced because the edge of the fixed guard tendered to fray against the uniform. This sword retains most of its original blue and gilt decoration to the blade and is rarely found in this superb condition.THE BLADE OF THIS SWORDfeatures typical motifs found on British Napoleonic infantry swords, including the royal crown and cypher of King George III (r.1760-1820) and post-1801 royal coat of arms. There are also military stands of arms and scrolling foliage.THE BRITISH INFANTRY SWORD in the EIGHTEENTH CENTURY

1796PATTERNLIGHTCAVALRYTROOPER’SSWORD1796PATTERNLIGHTCAVALRYTROOPER’STROOPER’SSWORD1796PATTERNLIGHTCAVALRYTROOPER’SSWORDTROOPER’S1796PATTERNLIGHTCAVALRYTROOPER’SSWORDALTHOUGH QUITE FAINT,some of the maker’s name can still be made out on the blade spine - “JOSH ___”. There is also an inspector’s mark to the blade forte.THE BLADE SPINE IS stamped “I. GILL” (John Gill) of Birmingham. An inspector’s stamp of a crown and number “4” is placed at the forte.THIS IS A DIFFERENT variation of the standard pattern, with a wider, ribbed leather grip and distinctive squared langet. The hilt also retains its original leather washer below the crossguard. The spine is numbered “No. 345”.MAKER-MARKED TO THEblade forte - “WOOLLEY”255THE BRITISH CAVALRY SWORD in the EIGHTEENTH CENTURY

1796PATTERNHEAVYCAVALRYTROOPER’SSWORD1796PATTERNHEAVYCAVALRYTROOPER’SSWORDTHIS SWORD WAS manufactured by Osborn and Gunby of Birmingham and has had the two hilt langets removed. It comes complete with its original scabbard and there is an inspector’s mark to the blade.THE TWO ORIGINAL HILTlangets have remained to this example and the hilt and scabbard still retains the original black-japanned, paint finish. The wide blade has a double-edged, spear point.275THE BRITISH CAVALRY SWORD in the EIGHTEENTH CENTURYImages courtesy of West Street Antiques

4031822PATTERNINFANTRYOFFICER’SSWORD1822PATTERNPATTERNINFANTRYINFANTRYOFFICER’SOFFICER’SSWORD1822PATTERNINFANTRYOFFICER’SSWORDTHIS EXAMPLE OF THEpattern still retains its original officer’s bullion sword knot and leather liner to the hilt. It also has a hilt cartouche for King George IV (r.1820-1830). The blade has a prominent pipe back and quill point. It is quite worn so any original etching has now been lost.A BRITISH INFANTRYofficer’s sword from the 1820’s, with a hilt cartouche for King George IV (r.1820-1830). The hilt also features a typical folding guard that is common with this pattern and enabled an officer to wear his sword against his uniform without the possibility of fraying. Complete with its original leather and brass-mounted scabbard.A KING GEORGE IV infantry officer’s sword with remnants of the original bullion sword knot attached to the Gothic hilt. The grip is wrapped in fishskin and bound with brass or copper twistwire.PATTERNINFANTRYOFFICER’SA BRITISH INFANTRYofficer’s sword from the INFANTRYINFANTRYA BRITISH INFANTRYTHE BRITISH INFANTRY SWORD in the NINETEENTH CENTURYInfantry Officer and Private, c.1830.

4391845PATTERNINFANTRYINFANTRYINFANTRYOFFICER’SSWORD1845PATTERNPATTERNINFANTRYINFANTRYOFFICER’SOFFICER’SSWORDINFANTRYINFANTRYINFANTRYOFFICER’STHIS SWORD RETAINSan officer’s maroon and silver bullion sword knot. Made by Henry Wikinson, it dates to 1861 (serial number 11698). The forte tang button has the typical “HW” lettering within the middle. It also retains its original fishskin and twistwire to the grip.1845PATTERNINFANTRYOFFICER’SSWORDA LATE-VICTORIANinfantry officer’s sword by Henry Wilkinson and dated to 1890 (serial number - 30378). The owner’s family crest is also present on the blade forte. It comes complete with a leather and brass-mounted scabbard.Below and below right:A CRISPLY ETCHED Wilkinson sword in fine condition. It has a white leather sword strap with gold bullion knot and looks to be a modern addition.THE BRITISH INFANTRY SWORD in the NINETEENTH CENTURYThe Royal Welsh Fusiliers.

459PATTERNENGINEERSOFFICER’SSWORD1857PATTERNROYALENGINEERSOFFICER’SSWORDPATTERNENGINEERSOFFICER’SSWORD1857PATTERNROYALENGINEERSOFFICER’SSWORDPATTERNENGINEERSOFFICER’SA VERY FINE OFFICER’Ssword with an excellent etched blade, featuring the owner’s family crest and initials.AN OFFICER’S SWORDwith a gilt brass hilt, pierced with acanthus-leafed decoration. All original fishskin and copper twistwire to the grip.THE BRITISH INFANTRY SWORD in the NINETEENTH CENTURY

4781897PATTERNINFANTRYOFFICER’SSWORD1897PATTERNINFANTRYOFFICER’SSWORD1897PATTERNINFANTRYOFFICER’SSWORDA HENRY WILKINSON officer’s sword with an interesting etched blade, featuring one family crest alongside a possible British Army regimental crest. The serial number (35825) dates the sword to 1898.Right:A RARE SWORD CARRIEDby an officer of the Submarine Miners. These were Royal Engineers’ officers stationed at British harbours and ports with the role of defending them through the use of submarine mines. A report in 1863 concerning, “Floating Obstructions and Submarine Explosive Machines in the Defence of Channels”, resulted in the formation of a training school in the retired warship, HMS Hood (1871). The “Sappers”were given five months’ instruction in general trainingAN OFFICER’S SWORD BY Pillin of London with fine etching and owner’s initials to the blade.and 34 days of practical instruction in embarking, slinging and raising mines and the preparation of cables, moorings, buoys and junction boxes.THE BRITISH INFANTRY SWORD in the NINETEENTH CENTURY

620C.1800’SLLOYDSPATRIOTICFUNDOFFICER’SPRESENTATIONSWORDA CASED £100 LLOYDS Patriotic Fund Sword awarded to Captain Robert Moorsom for his action at the Battle of Trafalgar (1805). The curved fullered blade is decorated in blue and gilt with scroll-ing foliage, stands of arms, dolphins, the figure of Victory and Britannia, flowers of the Union, classical figures and the recipient’s initials, “RM” within a starburst, naval motifs, crowned Royal arms, crowned GR cypher and the presentation inscription:“FROM THE PATRIOTIC FUND AT LLOYDS TO ROBERT MOORSOM ESQR. CAPTN OF HMS REVENGE FOR HIS MERITORIOUS SERVICES IN CONTRIBUTING TO THE SIGNAL VICTORY OBTAINED OVER THE COMBINED FLEETS OF FRANCE AND SPAIN OFF CAPE TRAFALGAR ON THE 21ST OCTOBER 1805”The gilt brass hilt displays a Roman fasces crossguard and the quillon block is decorated with stands of arms featuring an anchor on either side and acanthus-leafed langets. The knucklebow is styled in the form of Hercules’ club entwined with a serpent with flat lion’s mask and mane pom-mel and backstrap. The grip is made from finely chequered ivory. It is contained in its ornate, gilt panelled scab-bard, with the rim of the throat engraved with the maker’s details:THE BRITISH NAVAL SWORD in the NINETEENTH CENTURY“R. TEED SWORD CUTLER LANCASTER COURT STRAND”It is decorated with a series of three stands of arms on either side, the upper entitled, “REVENGE”, surmounting a vignette of Britannia overlook-ing the fleet, the whole display-ing a stand of naval motifs and:“NELSON TRAFALGAR, 21ST OCT 1805”The central stand has a vignette of Hercules and Hydra and the lower a vignette of Hercules wrestling the Nemean Lion, each side of the scabbard with two openwork panels and pierced stands of arms with classical iconography on a black velvet ground. The sword is contained in its black baize-lined mahogany case, the lid with brass presentation escutcheon to Robert Moorsom and the inside of the lid with a Patriotic Fund label, naval sword belt and chamois leather protectors. The Revenge’s Chaplain stated that “Captain Moorsom had told his men he would act as Lord Nelson had always done, lay his ship alongside the larg-est he came near and would leave the rest to his men. The men gave him three cheers and they fought like lions”. Moor-som engaged several French and Spanish ships, dismasting the Achille, ramming the Aigle before bringing the Revenge (74 Guns) alongside “the larg-est”, the Spanish Flagship Principe de Asturias (112 Guns) which delivered several broadsides having manoeuvred under the stern of Revenge, badly wounding Moorsom and killing or wounding 70 crew. After the battle, the Revenge limped back to Gibraltar and Moorsom was treated for his wounds. He never returned to the sea. He was awarded the KCB in 1815, was Com-mander-in-Chief, Chatham 1824-1827, achieved the rank of Admiral in 1830, and died in 1835.Images courtesy of Antony Cribb Auctions

673THE BRITISH CIVILIAN/MILITARY SMALLSWORD in the NINETEENTH CENTURYC.1890CIVILIAN/MILITARYCOURTSWORDC.1890CIVILIAN/CIVILIAN/MILITARYMILITARYCIVILIAN/MILITARYCIVILIAN/CIVILIAN/MILITARYCIVILIAN/COURTSWORDCOURTSWORDC.1890CITY OFLONDONCOURTSWORDA LATE-19TH CENTURYcourtsword, probably for a Scottish military officer, as indicated by the thistle motifs to the gilt brass shell guard. The hilt also retains its original bullion sword knot. The etched blade is in excellent condition with crisp detailing, including martial trophies, drums, British Union Jack, victory wreaths and scrolling foliage. It is retailer marked to Johns & Pegg of Clifford Street, West London.A BRITISH COURTSWORDwith an inset English rose and Victorian crown above. The grip is bound with brass twistwire. CIVILIAN/MILITARYCIVILIAN/MILITARYCIVILIAN/COURTSWORDAN INTERESTING AND RAREexample of a British courtsword for a civilian representative from the City of London. This attractive sword features a white metal coat of arms of the City of London (two dragons supporting a shield with a Cross of St George - below is a scroll with the motto “Domine dirige nos (Lord guide us)”. The sword knot is gold bullion and crimson.Queen Victoria at a royal recption.

FAMILY CRESTS & INITIALS TO BRITISH SWORD BLADES in the NINETEENTH CENTURYThe 19th CenturyFAMILY CRESTS & INITIALS24700The addition of an officer’s family crest or initials to sword blades became more popular during the Victorian era. Some of these family crests can be identified in Fairbairn’s Crests of the Families of Britain and Ireland (1859 - 2 vols). It comprises hundreds of illustrations of family crests and an index by family name through which you can locate a specific crest. It is extremely helpful when trying to identify a family crest on a sword blade.The Royal Sussex Regiment.

722BRITISH SWORD BLADES in the NINETEENTH CENTURY7th Queen’s Own Hussars, 1842.

7991908PATTERNCAVALRYTROOPER’SSWORD1908PATTERNCAVALRYTROOPER’SSWORDA FIRST WORLD WARcavalry trooper’s sword issued to mounted soldiers serving in the Indian Army. It differs from the British Army version in that the size of the bowl guard and grip is reduced to accommodate the smaller Indian soldier’s hand. It also features a brown leather inner liner to the guard and is painted black to the outside and would have been effective in reducing glare when in the field.Left and below:AN ENFIELD-MADEtrooper’s sword first issued in 1915 and then re-issued in 1916 after a number of repairs and inspections, as evidenced by the numerous markings to both sides of the blade forte. The pistol grip is made from Dermatine, a early form of composite material. The interior of the bowl hilt was originally painted khaki as was the outside, but it has now worn off.THE BRITISH CAVALRY SWORD in the TWENTIETH CENTURYTrooper, Scots Greys, 1916.

BRITISH SWORD HILT CYPHERS in the TWENTIETH CENTURYEdward VII (reigned 1901 - 1910)George V(reigned 1910 - 1935)Edward VIII (reigned 1936)George VI (reigned 1936 - 1952)844Elizabeth II (reigned 1952 - 2022)Charles 11I (reigned 2022 - )

BRITISH 1827 PATTERN NAVAL OFFICERS’ SWORDS 20TH CENTURYImages courtesy of Antony Cribb AuctionsBritish naval officer, c.1900.British dreadnought, c.1905.British Admiral, c.1900.

862THE BRITISH GYMNASIA SWORD in the TWENTIETH CENTURY1904PATTERNGYMNASIASWORD1904PATTERNPATTERNGYMNASIAGYMNASIASWORD1907PATTERNGYMNASIASWORDPATTERNPATTERNGYMNASIAA GYMNASIA SWORDmade by Wilkinson with inspection stamps to the blade ricasso. The sword features a large bowl guard for hand protection with a ribbed grip wrapped in fishskin. The blade has a blunted and squared tip. There would not have been a scabbard for this pattern of training sword.THIS EXAMPLE OF A Gymnasia sword is unusual in that the end of the blade has a point rather than being blunted. This could have been re-shaped after its original service life. The large bowl hilt still retains much of the original black paint finish to the inner hilt. There is a large pommel cap that could be unscrewed to allow for a replacement blade to be fitted.Below and below right:THE GRIP OF THISsword is made from chequered aluminium-alloy and the blade (similar to the 1889 Pattern Practice Sword) comprises a fullered blade and blunted tip.The Lovat Scouts, 1900.

TheBRITISH SWORDFROM 1600 TO THE PRESENT DAYAN ILLUSTRATED HISTORYINCLUDES:CAVALRY SWORDSINFANTRY SWORDSNAVAL SWORDSRAPIERSSMALLSWORDSBROADSWORDSHUNTING SWORDSCIVILIAN SWORDSHarvey Withers Military Publishingwww.militariahub.comMilitary Publishingwww.militariahub.comHarvey Withers was bornin Birmingham, England. He has been collecting and dealing in antique swords for many years and written a wide range of books on both British and world swords.