EL6559 - A top quality example of a Wilkinson Patent Solid Hilt infantry officer's sword, marked to Lloyd Fenton of the 44th Regiment of Foot (and dated 1863, when he commissioned). Fenton was a young Ensign, newly commissioned in the 44th Regiment, and sent out to India, with a passion for zoology. Sadly however his career was cut short by an accident with a pistol (see the attached article). This sword is a fantastic example of a top quality infantry officer's sword of the period, for an officer who might expect to rely on their sword in action. It is in good condition overall, with some small areas of pitting on the blade, everything is tight and solid, but it lacks a scabbard. All the grip wire is intact and the grip checkering very good. The blade, curiously, was tidily service sharpened at some point, which either means that Fenton wanted a sharp sword when not on active service, or perhaps (and this was fairly common with officers who died in India) the sword was auctioned after his death and passed to another fellow officer who saw active service. I think that the latter is fairly likely, as this would have been a very prized sword to any officer serving in India at the time.
