This is a Royal Marines sword dating from 1860. The hilt of the sword consists of a gilt, half-basket guard with the Royal cipher 'V.R.' below a crown, which is inserted in the outer bars. The black fish-skin grip is bound with three gold wires. The Wilkinson steel blade, is flat-backed and slightly curved with a spear point. The steel scabbard has two bands with rings for belt slings. There is a spring clip at the top of the top locket to engage with the hole in the hilt, which was added by the owner of the sword and is not original. The shoulder of the blade bears a Wilkinson proof mark and the words 'Henry Wilkinson, Pall Mall'. The blade also bears the letters 'R.C.J.B.' (or 'R.C.S.B.'), Queen Victoria's cipher and a crown and the number '10701'. Research in 1946 by Bosanquet revealed that Wilkinson's sold the sword to Hunter & Guthrie who were military outfitters based at 12, Cork Street, London between 1855-1860. This sword is the pattern used by Army Infantry Officers.

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Does the seller state what makes this a Marines officer's sword? is there etching on the blade that says as much? or have they researched the officer's initials and found that he was a Marines officer?

Thanks,
Jonathan

Jonathan, here is the detail of the sword's hilt (Unfortunately, the etchings on the blade are not shown):

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