EL6902 - A late-Victorian Wilkinson Royal Artillery officer's sword, numbered 38201 for 1900, with named presentational text etched on the blade. The presentation reads, "PRESENTED TO GENTLEMAN CADET C. S. RICH ON OBTAINING HIS COMMISSION FROM THE ROYAL MILITARY ACADEMY FOR EXEMPLARY CONDUCT WHILST AT THE INSTITUTION". The blade is also etched with the crest for Rich on one side and the initials C. S. R. on the other side, so there is absolutely no doubt who owned this sword! The officer was Christopher Stiles Rich, born 1881, he entered the Royal Military College at Woolwich as a cadet in 1899. Commissioned into the Royal Artillery 1900, and in 1904 Rich is listed as being a Lieutenant with the 15th Battery at Waterford in Ireland. He was promoted to Captain in 1911 and from 1905-1911 he served with the West African Frontier Force (Gold Coast). He was appointed Adjutant in the Royal Artillery in 1913 and served in WW1. Rich was attached to the 5th Squadron of the Royal Flying Corps as an observer, but sadly died on 22 March 1915, age 33, as a result of some sort of accident, and is buried at Bailleul Military Cemetery. The sword is in rather worn condition and would benefit greatly from some restoration work. The blade has clearly had some corrosion in parts, but then been nickel plated. This plating itself has also suffered, so I wonder whether the sword was returned to the family after the officer's death and then kept in the family or perhaps plated and then carried by a later officer. The hilt and scabbard plating have also suffered and the whole sword needs a clean up. The shagreen is good, but the thinnest strand of the grip wire is missing. The sword has been service sharpened, and is structurally sound - the flaws are cosmetic, and everything is solid and tight, with no movement. The scabbard retains its very charming lion-faced belt buckles. A top quality sword with great provenance, in need of some attention.
