EL6803 - This lovely Wilkinson infantry officer's sword numbered 22622 (for 1879) was made for Crawford Lewin Allan, who transferred from the 60th Rifles at the end of 1877 to join the 106th Bengal Light Infantry as a Captain. Allan was the son of John Allan of Calcutta, he graduated from the Royal Military College in 1865 and commissioned as an Ensign into the 60th Rifles. When he moved to the Bombay Light Infantry he would have needed this infantry officer's sword to replace his previous Rifles sword. He eventually move to the Durham Light Infantry. He rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and died suddenly (thought a heart attack) at Colchester Railway Station in 1908. There is surely lots more research to do, and this is a lovely sword in great condition. The blade bright with crisp etching and the full name and regiment of the officer etched clearly. A slightly narrower blade than normal, and the brass scabbard might have replaced an earlier steel scabbard when Allan rose to the rank of Major (Field Rank). Everything is tight and solid, the hilt is in great shape and the grip shagreen and wire are very good also.
