EL6642 - A lovely top quality example of a Wilkinson infantry officer's sword, dating to 1888, named to Butler and with the Butler crest etched on the blade. The blade has been coated with varnish at some point, but this has wonderfully protected the blade, with is in excellent condition. The hilt is of a type we sometimes see with Wilkinsons in the 1880s and is of a chunkier and more robust type, with a thick gilt brass guard and deeply cast backpiece. The shagreen is good, and the grip wire is all present. Everything is firm and solid. The scabbard is in poor condition and missing the throat - I suspect this might not be the original one for the sword, though it does fit well enough. Looking through Hart's Army Lists, I can see a few possible candidates for the officer, but this is going to require further research. So, a great sword, with lots of research potential.
