**SALE PENDING** EL6139 - This was the sword of Edwin Harold Barr, of the Royal Marine Artillery, awarded the Distinguished Service Order in 1915: "Captain Edwin Harold Barr, R.M.A. For services with the Royal Marine Artillery Anti-Aircraft Brigade in France."
Barr was born in 1879 and commissioned into the RMA in 1897. He was promoted to Lieutenant in 1898, Captain in 1906 and after receiving the D.S.O. in 1915 was made Major in 1916. In 1914 he was recorded as being posted at the Royal Navy School of Music.
The sword itself is very rare, being for the RMA, and is of the form of a Royal Artillery pattern sword, with large 35 inch blade. The blade carries Wilkinson's trade slug, showing that the blade (if not the hilt) was made by Wilkinson and sold to the retailer. It is also marked London Made to the spine and carries the RMA emblem, with Barr's initials etched to the forte. The blade has been extensively and repeatedly service-sharpened and is solid in the hilt. The hilt was deliberately gun-browned and much of this finish remains. No scabbard unfortunately.
A very nice sword with a great history. Lots of research potential.
