EL6198 - An early to mid-Victorian Royal Navy officer's sword by Kitts of Sheerness, with a robust blade and in good overall condition. This example I believe dates to around the Crimean War (1850s) and it seems to have been service sharpened. The blade is chunkier than most of this pattern and it is in bright polish, with clear and detailed etching, firm in the hilt. The gilt brass hilt retains a lot of original gilding, is all solid and the folding drop works well. The lack of locking peg on the scabbard/guard implies that this is probably fairly early (between 1846 and 1860 I would say), supported also by the form of the backstrap and lion's head and mane. The shagreen and gilt wire grip is in especially good condition for the age and retains a remarkably white finish. The scabbard is complete but has had a repair of twine, suggesting it has a break in the leather, but I have not uncovered this. A very nice example of a Crimean era naval officer's sword, with a very chunky and pleasing feel in the hand - it makes the later and modern examples appear quite flimsy in comparison.
