A fantastic Wilkinson Patent Solid Hilt 4th Hussars officer's sword (numbered 33047 for 1895), with the officer's initials and strong Winston Churchill connection. The officer in question was Allan George Cameron Bruce (see attached Wilkinson proof book record), who was a contemporary officer of Winston Churchill and became his enemy.
Both officers joined the same regiment in 1895 from Sandhurst. Churchill (according to Russel) apparently disliked Bruce enough that he (Churchill) tried to prevent Bruce from joining the same regiment. Bruce however did join, much to Churchill and his friends' annoyance.
Churchill and his allies apparently victimized Bruce: "Under the pretext of meeting a veteran of Balaclava, Bruce was lured to the NCO’s mess, where he raised a glass to the health of the mess. Three days later Bruce was arrested and charged with ‘improperly associating with non-commissioned officers’ and condemned as unfit to serve with the 4th Hussars. He left the regiment and the army."
Bruce’s father decided not to let the matter rest there and the issue of bullying in the 4th Hussars was debated in Parliament and condemned in the national press. Bruce's father stated that his son knew that Churchill had participated at Sandhurst in "acts of gross immorality of the Oscar Wilde type". Churchill sued, and accepted a settlement out of court.
The sword itself is in generally good condition and curiously has been service sharpened. This may indicate that it was sold or given to another officer who continued to serve after Bruce. The hilt is solid on the patent tang, with the grip wire intact. At some time silver paint has been applied to the hilt, which has mostly been cleaned off, but some more careful cleaning would be worthwhile. There is some light pitting to the metalwork of the hilt. The blade is bright with good etching and the sword overall is of Wilkinson's best quality. Complete with field service scabbard in a somewhat worn condition.
A top quality sword by itself, but with an absolutely fascinating history and a lot of research potential. Winston Churchill himself would have seen this sword numerous times.
