1831 Pattern General Officer's Sword, Indian Service

Introduced in 1831, this pattern was almost certainly influenced by the Duke of Wellington, who was Commander in Chief from 1827 until 1828 and again from 1842 until his death in 1852. It followed closely the type of mameluke-hilted sword which he had carried since his Indian days.

Swords of this type had been fashionable in various quarters since the Egyptian expedition of 1801. In 1831, Field Marshalls were ordered to wear the Pattern 1831, but with crossed batons on the ecusson. It has remained the regulation pattern ever since.

Originally with a brass scabbard for most occasions, this was changed for a plated steel scabbard from 1898.

Robson, Brian - "Swords of the British Army, The Revised Edition", 1996, p. 205-208.

The sword offered here is one for Indian service, as indicated by the ERI (Edwardus Rex Imperator) cypher, present on the ecusson and on the blade. Interestingly, the ERI cypher is on both sides of the ecusson, with no crossed batons other than on the blade. The sword was retailed by Badham Pile & Co Ltd, Bombay. The proof disc shows "T" surrounded by "PROVED", meaning the blade was manufactured by Thurkle around the time they were taken over by J. R. Gaunt & Son. 

The sword is in exceptional condition. The ivory grip has no cracks whatsoever. The blade is extremely well kept, with no signs of pitting. The scabbard fits perfectly and holds the sword in.

Ivory Declaration Submission Reference 4FBHYW5L