The photo below shows a British Rifle Regiment Officer’s Sword dating from King George V's time. Its nickel-plated steel basket hilt incorporates a crowned bugle motif, wire-bound shark skin covered grip, straight single-edged blade with fuller and spear point finely etched with crowned royal cipher “G.R. V.”, panels of foliage bugle and crowned shield while its forte is etched with a 6-pointed star (not the Jewish one). This sword was used during WWI but I think it is still used today during military parades. An excellent dress sword.

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It's a real beauty, isn't it? Definitely one of my favourite modern military swords so far. :)

*sigh* Makes me wish I had lots of money to spend on antiquities. :(

The Ghurka light infantry regiments still use the 1827 hilt joined to the 92 blade Jonathan, as do the Regiments of Foot Guards, in their case with their badge replacing the Light Inf. bugle

David

Anders, I agree with you. It's a real beauty and I feel like I want to 'own' that sword.

I rather prefer the Napoleonic Wars era 95th Rifles Officers' sabers which were pretty much the same as the Light Infantry Officers' sabers of that same period. For an example, please see the item below but I have seen them rather more elaborated with royal cyphers in the guards and engraved blades as well as leather covered wooden scabbards:
http://www.thelanesarmoury.co.uk/shop/viewpho...amp;phqu=5

Here are the engravings found on the blade of the British Rifle Regiment Officer's Sword.
[ Linked Image ]

The blade is actually acid etched, as opposed to engraved. Engraving on British military swords fell out of practice during the first quarter of the 19th century.

Jonathan

ADDED:

Regiments who earned battle honours were permitted to have the honours etched on their sword blades. IMO, these etchings make for particularly attractive blades. Below are some photos of a blade from a Pattern 1854 Guards Officer's Sword. The P1854 Guards Officer's Sword is identical to the P1827 Rifle Officer's Sword except that the strung bugle cartouche is replaced by the badge of a Guards regiment. This Guards sword was sold by Wilkinson in 1898 and belonged to the Honourable Walter A. Trefusis of the Scots Guards.

The P1854 Guards Officer's Sword is an interesting piece. I like its etchings. They look nice, though.

As comparision the M1803 infantry officer saber, here one for grenadier officers.(see grenade above royal cipher)

Received it 2 weeks ago and i´m pretty happy with it.
Pics by seller-i´m allowed to post.

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@Anders

Antique swords aren´t very expenisve if you choose a period not collected by everybody.
Napoleonics are expensive (unlucky me)
Japanese are expensive
Mediaval are absolutly unaffordable.

But if you look for swords like the one posted above from mid 19th you´ll get some very nice swords for little money.
my first sword ever was a dutch pallasch from ~1850-no rost, no dings-very good condtion.

I payed $250 incl S/H from US to Germany-you´ll never get a decent replica for that money.

Start collection mid 19th european cavalry sabers or something similar-you´ll find lots of nice pieces for little money.

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The Pattern 1803 was the regulation sword for light infantry officers and flank company officers until it was replaced by the Pattern 1822 Infantry Officer’s Sword. Rifle officers would have carried the P1822 for a short span of time as the 1827 regulations called for a new steel hilt. The change from pattern to pattern was not overnight. Frequently officers were allowed to continue to use their swords until they were no longer serviceable.

Jonathan

Thank you Jonathan
My main interest are french cavalry sabers but i want the classic swords from UK too-the M1803, the M1796LC/HC/Infantry, the M1788.
Till now i´ve got the M1803, 2 M1796LC and a M1796 infantry--looking for the HC for years-but thanks the Sharpe books the prices are insane.

On the pic the M1796LC (scabbard incl, not on pic) and a yeomanry cavalry saber(no scabbard).
Looks like a M1788 blade with a M1796 hilt.

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@Jonathan--just like me--thx to Mr Sharpe i started collecting :-)-so just like him i`m allways out of money ;-)

Here is an example of a British Pattern 1827 Rifle Officer's Sword (as told by Jonathan). The hilt has a steel Pattern 1827 three bar half basket guard with a crown over a stringed bugle cartouche badge and a silver wire bound fish-skin grip. The slightly curved Pattern 1845 blade has a single fuller to each side and etched for three quarters of the length in floral pattern. On the right side centre there is a crown over a stringed bugle and the royal V.R. cypher on the left. The right ricasso has a sun ray symbol and on the left is a blank shield. The edge of the blade has a considerable number of edge nicks. The Sam Browne leather scabbard has a reinforced chape, a nickel plated throat and a strap for fixing to a belt frog. This sword, however, was used during the Boer War.
[ Linked Image ]

And back to infantry:
And also some of my British light infantry sabres from top
circa 1790, circa 1800, circa 1800, 1803 flat blade, 1803 ivory hilt - for staff officers, 1803 standard

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