Victorian British Pattern 1827 Manchester Volunteer Rifles Officer\'s Sword With Blued & Etched Panels Blade By S&S Smith Manchester & Scabbard. Sn 22089 Sword

Victorian British Pattern 1827 Manchester Volunteer Rifles Officer's Sword With Blued & Etched Panels Blade By S&S Smith Manchester & Scabbard. Sn 22089 - 22089

Originally raised as the King’s Royal Rifle Corps in 1755, the Rifle Brigade was officially formed in 1800. Initially Officer’s carried a lighter version of the 1796 pattern Light cavalry sabre, later adopting the 1803 pattern Infantry Officer’s Sword with strung bugle motif placed within the knuckle bow. The Regiment, always renowned for its individuality both in uniform and tactics, it was no wonder that they eventually gained their own distinctive pattern of sword. The 1827 pattern is defined by an all steel hilt coupled with the replacement of the usual Royal Cypher with a strung bugle and Queen’s Crown in the hilt . The Manchester Volunteer Rifles were raised in 1859/60. Their expansion in WWI as eighteen battalions of the Manchester Regiment saw the Regiment play a significant role in the Great War. This is a very good, original example of the 1827 Pattern Sword To The Manchester Volunteer Rifles with Scabbard. The sword has a 32 ½” long elegantly curved blade with fullers (39” overall). The blade has just staining consistent with age and is blued & etched on both sides with foliate panels & banners together with Queen’s crown on one side and Rifle Brigade Bugle and Victorian Queen’s Crown ‘VR’ Victoria Regina panel ‘Manchester Rifles’ on the reverse. It also has the ordnance acceptance star with inlaid roundel at the ricasso on one side. The blade is signed by the maker ‘S&S Smith 34 Cross St Manchester’. It has a voided knuckle guard with the correct Rifle Brigade Queen’s crown with strung bugle motif, stepped pommel with ball end and wire bound, fish skin covered handle in excellent condition with all wire complete and intact. It is complete with original leather scabbard with steel mounts & 2 hanging rings. The price includes UK delivery. Sn 22089

£645.00