The Cheshire Regiment was a line infantry regiment of the British Army, part of the Prince of Wales' Division. The 22nd Regiment of Foot was raised by the Duke of Norfolk in 1689 and was able to boast an independent existence of over 300 years. The 1st Volunteer Battalion was formed in 1860. The regiment was expanded in 1881 as part of the Childers Reforms by the linking of the 22nd (Cheshire) Regiment of Foot and the militia and rifle volunteers of Cheshire. The title 22nd (Cheshire) Regiment continued to be used within the regiment. On 1 September 2007, the Cheshire Regiment was merged with the Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment (29th/45th Foot) and the Staffordshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's) to form a new large regiment, the Mercian Regiment, becoming the 1st Battalion, Mercian Regiment. The Stockport Armoury building (Armoury Street, Stockport) was the Headquarters of the Cheshire Volunteer Rifles in 1862. This is an original, 1827 Pattern British Rifle Officer’s Sword & Scabbard To The 5th Battalion Cheshire Rifle Volunteers (see page 174 of World Swords by Withers). The Sword has a 32 ½” fullered single edged blade. The blade has its original leather hilt washer. The seword has engraved foliate panels on both sides. One side has The Hung Bugle of the Rifle Brigade and ‘5th Cheshire R.V (Rifle Volunteers)’. The reverse has Queen’s Crown & stylised Royal cypher ‘VR’ (Victoria Regina) & maker / retailer detail ‘Firmin & Sons Limited 153 Strand (London)’. The voided steel basket guard is undamaged and incorporates the correct ‘Hung Bugle’ badge of the Rifle Brigade. It has an undamaged wire bound shagreen grip together with stepped steel pommel & ball top. The sword is complete with its undamaged steel parade scabbard which has even patina and 2 hanging rings. The price includes UK delivery. Sn 22426:61
£795.00