#pipe back

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British Pattern 1822 Infantry Officer’s Sword for an Officer of the East India Company

This is a pretty standard iteration of the P1822 Infantry Officer’s Sword, this example is etched very faintly to two different sword cutlers; John Prosser and Henry Tatham. I think it is likely that Prosser made the sword and that Tatham was the retailer, but it is possibly that one made the blade and the other assembled the sword.

The brass guard has the cypher of George IV, so this sword can be dated to 1822-1830. The grip material is leather, so it is likely a later replacement since fish skin was the standard material for grips of officer’s swords. 

As mentioned above, the blade is etched to Prosser on one side, and to Tatham on the other. Their maker info was very hard to capture on camera, so you’ll have to take my word for it. Also etched on each side of the blade is the rampant lion of the East India Company (EIC), which is what tells us that this was for an EIC officer rather than a British Army officer.

The blade is a very standard form of the pipe back blade. Although this narrower version of the pipe back may not have been ideal, I can see why it caught on. This sword feels incredible in the hand since the sword assembly is still quite tight and solid. It feels like a capable fighting sword, although I’d hate to receive a blow from a heavier sword on the thin brass guard.

Unfortunately this sword no longer has its scabbard. It probably would have had a black leather scabbard with brass fittings like many others of this pattern would have had.

The Pattern 1822 Infantry Officer’s Sword was probably designed by John Prosser (also the “inventor” of the pipe back blade), the favorite sword cutler of George IV. This pattern (with the pipe back blade) was in use from 1822 until 1845, when a new fullered blade was introduced. Officers were allowed to use their current pipe back bladed swords until they were no longer serviceable. While some no doubt opted to buy new swords, many continued to carry their P1822s into at least the 1850s. This pattern would have seen service in numerous wars like the Anglo-Sikh Wars of the 1840s, the 1st Anglo-Afghan War in 1842, the Opium Wars in China, the Crimean War, and the Indian Rebellion (aka Indian Mutiny). My sword, being used by an EIC officer, could have seen service against the Sikhs or in Afghanistan.

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Unusual 1822 Infantry Officers Sabre £850

This highly unusual British 1822 Infantry officers sabre has a George IV Cypher on the guard, dating it to between 1822 and 1830. Taken as a whole the sword is has some interesting features. The pipe back leading into a clipped point is very unusual for a British sword, possibly unique, the style was more widely popular on the continent. The Folding guard does not follow the standard pattern found in later swords, having a much more delicate and intricate design. The ferrule also has more decorated in a floral pattern, not commonly found on military swords.There are no makers marks, or engraving on the blade so I have been unable to find much more about its origins.

The sword is clean, with no pitting or rust, and it is solid in the guard with no movement.

[victoriansword]

British Pattern 1821 Heavy Cavalry Officer’s Sword

A pre-1845 dated pipe-back-bladed 1821 pattern heavy cavalry officer's sword in bright and clean condition. No maker or retailer name visible, nor any other blade etching, as the whole sword has been cleaned bright over time. The shagreen and grip wire in very good condition. The hilt firm on the hilt, but with lateral movement in the guard due to the loss of the leather washer. This could perhaps be rectified with tightening the hilt. A big 35 inch blade that tracks and moves fantastically in the hand, this sword most probably dates to the 1830s or early 40s.

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Prosser's Pipe-Back Sword Blade, Quill-Point & Penetration

Looking at the innovative sword design of John Prosser, of Charring Cross, London. Including an example marked to the Bombay Horse Artillery. 

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British Officer’s Sword, Probably Used at Waterloo

Some weeks ago I visited a fellow antique dealer and he had acquired a very special sabre which was almost 100% certainly carried at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815. The reason this is so certain is that the sword was marked to the officer, who was a Major at the time of Waterloo, but in the aftermath of the battle was immediately promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel (in fact he and his fellow officers were promoted by Wellington himself on the field of the Battle of Agincourt in a grand nationalistic statement!). He is listed as Major on the sword, so it must date to before the Battle. 

The sword itself is a very specific non-regulation design, featuring a pipe-backed blade with flared false edge, which was a popular new design around 1810-1815 in Britain, pioneered and promoted by the sword maker Prosser of Charring Cross (London). The sabre also features an extended pommel ‘beak’, which again was an innovation on the most fashionable British light cavalry officer’s swords of 1810-1815. After this time these extended pommels tended to become entirely enclosed in steel (as it was a stronger construction), whereas this example has a steel butt, with a wood and shagreen inner side. The sabre also features a distinctive style of langets, perhaps influenced by the lines of Indian or Islamic architectural design, again very fashionable at this time under the Prince Regent. 

Finally, this particular sabre features a very unusual hand guard, where the standard knucklebow has had a side D-ring added, as on many infantry spadroons, but has also had two side bars added to this for extra hand protection. These side bars would become standard on light cavalry swords from 1821 onwards and were probably inspired by French swords, but the combination of the 2 side bars with the D-ring together is a very unusual feature. The dealer in question luckily allowed me to take some photos and I share these with you here.

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British Pattern 1796 Light Cavalry Officer’s Sword with Pipe-Back Blade

By Osborn & Gunby, Sword Cutlers To His Majesty, and his Royal Highness The Prince Regent, Circa 1810With curved pipe-back blade double-edged at the point, the forte on one side etched and gilt with foliage and the owner’s name within an etched and gilt laurel wreath bound by a ribbon, and on the other with a martial trophy and foliage above the maker’s details, ‘Warranted’ below, regulation steel stirrup hilt with faceted rounded pommel and back-piece in one, knuckle-guard retaining its buff-leather and silver bullion sword-knot, lobed rear quillon, and ribbed leather-covered grip bound with silver wire, in original steel scabbard (some light pitting and minor dents) with two rings for suspension. 84 cm blade.

George Lloyd Hodges joined the Army as an Ensign in the 61st Regiment in 1806 and served in the Peninsula. In 1812 he transferred to the 3rd Dragoons and was with them at the Battles of Vittoria and the Pyrenees. With the declaration of peace he was put on half pay with the 13th Light Dragoons and served with them as a Volunteer at Quatro Bras and Waterloo. He later worked as Recruiting Adjutant and in 1832 was appointed Colonel of the Foreign Brigade with the expedition to Portugal when Dom Miguel proclaimed himself King. He was subsequently knighted and followed a career as a diplomat

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British Pattern 1821 Light Cavalry Officer’s Sword

This is a nice tidy example of the type, with the characteristic and pretty pipe-backed blade in full cavalry size, featuring the quill-point. The blade is in nice condition, with the etching a little faint (as they often are with this type). The hilt is in equally tidy condition, with nice browning to the guard, matching the scabbard. The shagreen and grip wire is all present. A nice example of the pattern.

Since the blade is etched with Victoria’s royal cypher and is of pipe-back form, this sword can be dated to 1837-45.

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British Pattern 1822 Infantry Officer’s Sword

Retailed by Caterer & Son, St. James Street, London.