ELC1022 - A WW1 era 1897 pattern infantry officer's sword hilt by Henry Wilkinson.
Numbered 49105 for 1914 - 17 and with a George V cypher on blade and hilt, this was purchased during WW1. Wilkinson went from producing 533 swords in 1913 to 10,562 swords in the years 1914-17, as the increased mobilisation and death toll meant more officers were commissioned. This means that sometimes the Wilkinson Proof Records don’t always list the names of the officers who purchased the swords, as production tried to keep up with demand, but it may be possible to trace the officer through the serial number (it has not been researched). Unlike some later First World War blades which had minimum etching (again presumably because of the numbers required in a short space of time) this sword has clear attractive frost etching along its blade. It also has the hexagonal Wilkinson ‘Best Quality’ proof slug and would have been an expensive sword in its day.
The blade is in good condition with some staining and one small pitted area but the majority of the etching is clear, with a lot of original polish remaining. The spine is stamped ‘London Made’ on the back edge and the blade has been very well service sharpened on front and false edge. The hilt has been painted/varnished with some sort of brown application and it is in good condition, with most of the shagreen and all the silver wiring intact.
The field service scabbard is badly worn with a split in the bottom third and leather losses throughout. However it is clearly original to the sword and was carried with it during WW1.
