*c1837 Victorian Officers Mameluke Sword and Black Leather Scabbard By Prosser*
An Officer’s Mameluke-Hilted Sword by Prosser, Maker To The Queen & Royal Family, London, Circa 1837. 77.5cm blade. John Prosser was appointed Sword Cutler and Belt Maker to William IV in 1830, and to Queen Victoria on 11 August 1837, the year of his death.
The sword has a curved blade double-edged at the point, etched over two thirds of its length on one side with maker’s details and crowned ‘VR’ cypher above sprigs of laurel, all between elaborate scrolling foliage, and on the other with a martial trophy between foliage en suite, hilt comprising border engraved brass quillon-block with pointed langets and quillons each with bud-shaped terminal, reeded brass grip with rounded pommel, the latter with brass-mounted piercing for a sword-knot, and ivory grip-scales, in its blackened leather scabbard with border engraved locket, chape and suspension mounts, the former engraved ‘Prosser Manufacturer To Her Majesty London’ on one side and two rings for suspension.
A Mameluke sword /ˈmæməluːk/ is a cross-hilted, curved, scimitar-like sword historically derived from sabres used by Mamluk warriors of Mamluk Egypt after whom the sword is named. The hilt and blade retain many features of the Turkish kilij from which it was derived. These include the cross-guard with two opposing langets and the down curving ‘pistol-grip’ shaped pommel; the blade retains the yelman false-edge and the step to the back of the blade (latchet) close to it. The blade is slab-sided and of a ‘V’ shaped cross-section, it is double-edged for its last 11 inches (the yelman) and comes to a relatively acute asymmetric point.
*Condition*
Generally the sword is in good condition. There is some scattered pitting/tarnishing to the blade. The scabbard is in good condition with some signs of wear and tear with some loss of surface finish and a few minor dings to the brass work, the sword sheaths and draws smoothly. Please refer to the photographs as part of the condition report.
JAQGOOXAOOO_7135119969
