*British, WW1, 1897 Pattern, George Vth Infantry Officers Sword & Parade Scabbard, Made by Fenton Brothers Ltd, Sheffield, Cutlers Estd. 1850, Sword Cutlers to the War Office*
This is a hugely collectable sword. The 1897 pattern infantry officer’s sword is still the regulation sword for British line infantry officers today.
83cm straight blade to a narrow tip, single short central fuller on both side. Beautifully engraved on both sides with curling foliage, rayed Kings Crown above the United Kingdom Shield above GvR (George Vth 1910-1936), and an empty plate ready for personal engraving of campaign victories. Maker marked on the ricasso with “Fenton Brothers Ltd, Sheffield, Cutlers Estd 1850, Sword Cutlers to the War Office”. Proved star to the obverse. Leather washer at ricasso. Regulation 1897 pattern hilt with crowned GVR cypher, chequered backpiece, shagreen grip bound with copper twist wire. Comes complete with its original steel parade scabbard for full dress occasions.
Established around 1850 by John Fenton and later joined by his brother Frank in 1859, Fenton Brothers in Sheffield primarily operated as a silversmith and cutler. It did not make swords until the First World War when, it was contracted by the War Office. Fenton Bros returned to normal production after 1918 but trade declined in the interwar years. Despite an attempt to merge with James Deakin & Sons, another struggling silversmith with a brief sword making history, the resulting company ceased trading around 1938.
The British infantry officer’s regulation sword, largely unchanged since 1845, faced scrutiny in the 1880s. A ‘sword scandal’ in the press, sparked by the Sudan campaigns’ performance, led to a call for revising the design. The debate between cut versus thrust resulted in the 1892 pattern, introducing a new blade while retaining the 1845 pattern’s brass hilt. The 1895 pattern featured a new steel guard and fully-chequered steel backstrap, and the 1897 pattern, included a modified steel guard with a turned-down inside edge and smaller holes. The changes reflected a shift toward a thrust-centric design.
*Condition*
The blade is in excellent condition with very clear crisp engraving. There is some wear to the shagreen grip commensurate with age and service. The scabbard fits securely and is in good condition with the few expected dings and scratches. Please see photographs as part of the condition report.
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