Sword Info -- myArmoury.com

Christopher Maynard · Posted: Mon 20 Jul, 2009 10:41 pm Post subject: Sword Info

Hi All,

I've come across a old sword and have little knowledge of its origins, from what I do know is that its a ceremonial sword and that's about it. Can anyone please provide me with more information on it or direct me on where to find info. On the the one side it has a manufacturer stamp the says "J & B PEARSE & CO. 28 FLORAL ST COVENT GARDEN WC". On the other side it has the Star of David and inside there is a stamp with a crown and "PROVED" written underneath. Ive attached three photos but can always add more.

Regards,

Christopher

Lin Robinson · Posted: Tue 21 Jul, 2009 4:42 am Post subject: Re: Sword Info

Christopher Maynard · Posted: Tue 21 Jul, 2009 4:57 am Post subject:

Hope these two help?

William Goodwin · Posted: Tue 21 Jul, 2009 5:25 am Post subject:

looks to be a P1897 style British infantry officers dress sword.

Are there any monarch cypher markings on guard of blade (GV - George V etc.)

As far as name marks...more than likely just a retailer. (I'm at work and don' t have access to my reference material) The proof mark ..are there any other markings
within the plug, say a small letter or such? This would help to ID the sword more effeciently along iwth any cypher markings.

cheers,

Bill

Christopher Maynard · Posted: Tue 21 Jul, 2009 5:52 am Post subject:

Hi Bill

The only wrinting I can find on the blade itself is the letters ER. That and the crown inside the Star of David.

Christopher Maynard · Posted: Tue 21 Jul, 2009 6:05 am Post subject:

Here is another marking I found, its on the handle.

Jonathan Hopkins · Posted: Tue 21 Jul, 2009 7:24 am Post subject:

That is a VR cypher for Victoria Regina (aka Queen Victoria) and would date the sword to between 1897 and 1901. I cannot find any firm dates for Pearse but they appear to have been active at the turn of the century. I agree with Bill that the firm is likely a military outfitter/tailor. Searching this forum and Sword Forum International for the patterns of 1895 and 1897 will yield a good amount of information on this type of sword. I hope that is of help!

Jonathan

Christopher Maynard · Posted: Tue 21 Jul, 2009 8:04 am Post subject:

hi guys, thank you for all the information! i really appreciate it.. any guestimates to the value of such a sword? main reason being is for insurance purposes. sorry for my grammor and spelling, currently on my mobile haha.

Regards,
Chris

Jonathan Hopkins · Posted: Tue 21 Jul, 2009 8:41 am Post subject:

To clarify, the guard has the VR cypher, but the blade has ER? If ER appears on the blade I would guess it to be ERVII, for Edward VII (1902-11). If this is the case then the original blade needed replacing for one reason or another, probably breakage or some other defect. If you could post a photo of the initials on the blade that would be a tremendous help. As far as value I would expect to see a sword like yours (condition, no scabbard) to go for between $150-$200 US, maybe closer to the $200 mark since it does retain its sword knot. All in all it is a decent example of a Boer War era officer's sword.

Jonathan

Jonathan Hopkins · Posted: Tue 21 Jul, 2009 10:02 am Post subject:

The P1897, in short...

The Pattern 1897 Infantry Officer's Sword was not an entirely new pattern. It is the same as a Pattern 1895 Infantry Officer's Sword, but with one small modification; the inner edge of the guard is turned up to prevent fraying the uniform when the sword was being worn. The Pattern 1895 Infantry Officer's Sword was introduced 1896 following the introduction of a new blade in 1892. The Pattern 1892 blade (said to have been designed by Colonel Fox, Chief Inspector of Physical Training at the Board of Education) was a radical departure from the previous cut and thrust blade of the Pattern 1845/1854 Infantry Officer's Sword. The P1892 blade is a wicked thrusting blade that has a dumbbell cross section for just over half of its length. The plated steel bowl guard of the P1895 offered superior protection compared to its predecessors and was to have either a 5 inch or 5 1/2" grip, depending on the size of the officer's hand. The P1897 is the same sword with some minor cosmetic modifications--the inner edge of the guard is turned down and the piercings on the guard are smaller.

M. Eversberg II · Posted: Tue 21 Jul, 2009 10:14 am Post subject:

The star of David; I've seen this before on another sword here. From what I recall, it's not actually a star of David, just two triangles that happen to look like it.

M.

EDIT: Here, check this post. http://www.myArmoury.com/talk/viewtopic.php?p=165560#165560

Lin Robinson · Posted: Tue 21 Jul, 2009 10:21 am Post subject:

Jonathan Hopkins · Posted: Tue 21 Jul, 2009 11:45 am Post subject: