EL6329 - The exceptional condition Wilkinson Coldstream Guards officer's sword of Colonel Reginald Longueville (1869-1950). Longueville commissioned in 1889 into the Coldstream Guards, the year that he purchased this sword from Wilkinson. He served in the regiment for 21 years, including throughout the 2nd Anglo-Boer War:
"The most important local appointment of the week is that of Colonel Reginald Longueville, Llanforda Hall, Oswestry, who is attached to the General Staff. Colonel Longueville, who is in his 46th year, served for 21 years in the Coldstream Guards, from which he retired with the substantive rank of Major in 1910. On leaving the Guards he took over the command of the 7th (Montgomeryshire and Merioneth) Royal Welsh Fusiliers, from which he retired on the completion of a period of command. Colonel Longueville served n the South African War the whole period of the campaign, taking part in actions at Belmont, Guslin, Modder River, and Magersfontein, also in the subsequent operations in the Orange River Colony and Transvaal, his services being rewarded with the Queen`s Medal (six clasps), And the King's (two clasps)."
The sword has been plated and is thus in excellent condition. The etching of the blade is all deep and clear, with the full battle honours for the Coldstream Guards as of 1889. Longueville's initials are etched on the blade and the blade is firm in the hilt. The blade is 33 inches long by 1 inch wide. The hilt is in equally good condition, the only real wear from age worth mentioning being some rubbing to the shagreen, though the blackened application to the shagreen is still very notable and again the overall condition for a sword dating to 1889 has to class as excellent. The scabbard is of field service type and rather worn, having lost the frog strap, but it fits the blade perfectly and has protected the blade well. A superb sword with lots of research potential, to a notable officer of an elite regiment.
