QUALITY MAKER**Boer War Era British Robert Mole & Sons Birmingham 1897 Pattern Rifle Brigade Officers Sword With Etched Blade Number M2697 Press Stud Hilt Fitting With Acorn, Scabbard & Period Photograph Of An Officer In Uniform With Sword Sword

**QUALITY MAKER**Boer War Era British Robert Mole & Sons Birmingham 1897 Pattern Rifle Brigade Officers Sword With Etched Blade Number M2697 Press Stud Hilt Fitting With Acorn, Scabbard & Period Photograph Of An Officer In Uniform With Sword. Sn 20460 - 20460

This is an original 1897 British Infantry officer’s sword. These swords were a great improvement on previous patterns with better protection to the hand through its ¾ basket hilt (see page 179 of World Swords by Withers & pages 165-167 of Swords of the British Army by Robson). The sword has a 32 ½” single edged blade with partial fullers. The ricasso is signed by quality British manufacturer ‘Robert Mole & Sons Birmingham Makers To The War & India Offices’. The reverse has the ordnance acceptance ‘proof’ star and inlaid roundel. Both sides of the blade have etched panels featuring foliate devices, the King’s crown & stylised Royal Cypher ‘ERVII’ (Edward Seventh Rex) & slung horn motif of the rifle Brigade. The spine of the blade is numbered M2697. It has the correct ¾ bowl guard voided with foliate design and ‘King’s Crown ERVII’. It has the correct fish skin covered grip with wire binding which is tight and intact. The hilt is bound with its original leather press stud fastening fitment with leather tab and acorn knot. The sword is complete with its leather field scabbard with nickel plated mounts. The throat mount has fixed hanging bar fitted with leather hanger tab. This sword was found with an original sepia portrait photograph of an Officer in India Service uniform. The framed picture accompanies the sword. The Officer in the picture is carrying this pattern of sword and is most likely the same one. The framed photo measures 8”x12 ¼” x ½” and has a fold out stand to the rear. There are no visible details on the photo to assist identification of the Officer. The photo is pinned into its glazed frame and to avoid damage we have not attempted to remove it to examine the back of the photo. The price for this sword and portrait worthy of further research includes UK delivery. Sn 20460

£695.00