ELC1063 - This is a sought-after pre-numbered (before 1854) Wilkinson, 1845 pattern infantry officer's sword, etched to an officer of the 18th Foot (the Royal Irish), Lt Colonel A. J. A. Jackson, who saw action in the New Zealand War. The officer's initials and crest are on the blade, but curiously this sword was made before he was commissioned. It is possible therefore that the sword belonged to a family member (his father, Joseph Mayers Jackson, was an East India Company surgeon) before he got his initials and crest added to the blade. Colonel Jackson saw active service in New Zealand from 1863-66, including Wairoa Bush, the siege of Orakau, and the actions at Nukamuru*. This sword was presumably there with him. The sword itself features the maker's name and address up on the base of the fuller, instead of the ricasso, which usually seems to indicate a particularly early example. Therefore I estimate that this sword was made between 1845 (when the blade pattern was introduced) and about 1850. The blade is in very good condition, with a clean and bright surface, original polish for the most part, and with crisp etching. There are just a few spots of rust patina. The hilt is in worse condition, with the spring to the folding section no longer holding that in a fixed position, and some damage to the hinge. The wooden grip and shagreen have some loss at the pommel junction, and as a result the grip and hilt is somewhat loose on the tang. It would be worth having a restorer look at this to see if it is possible to correct or at least improve. A lovely sword with a fantastic provenance.
