Original British Victorian P-1827 Rifle Regiment Officer’s Sword by Friedrich Hörster & Co. (FH) with Scabbard – circa 1850 Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. Expressly designed for Officers of the rifle regiments being formed all over England in the early Victorian era, many of whom were volunteers. These units traced their roots back to the old volunteer regiments of the Napoleonic Wars when the Duke of Cumberland’s Sharpshooters were formed as a Corps of Riflemen on 5 September 1803. During the 1850s and 1860s these started to be formed again, culminating with the formation of the “Volunteer Force” in 1860.

These swords typically have copiously etched blades bearing a hunting horn decoration that is also incorporated under a Queen’s Crown in the open work steel guard. The 33″ curved blade on this example is in truly excellent condition, showing very little wear and only light staining in areas. Unfortunately this is not the more ornately etched sword as this one bears no markings whatsoever aside from a maker mark. The ricasso has the standard six pointed star with a brass PROVED insert, and on the other side is fully maker marked FH for manufacture by Friedrich Hörster & Co.

The basket guard is also in very good shape, with a lovely lightly oxidized patina. The sharkskin grip is in very good condition, showing just a bit of “tooth” loss and some staining. It still has complete wire wrapping, which has two wires on either side of a center wrapped twisted pair. The grip and guard are tight on the blade with no movement.

The sword comes in a lovely steel scabbard, which may have at one time been nickel plated, but currently shows a nice lightly oxidized patina. It does not have any bends and shows just a few minor dents.

A very nice example of what has become a very hard to find sword, complete with scabbard and a VERY nice blade. Ready to display!

Approximate Dimensions:
Blade Length: 33″
Blade Style: Curved Single Edge with Fuller and 1/3 False Edge
Overall length: 38 ½”
Guard dimensions: 5″ width x 4 1/2” length
Scabbard length: 33 ¼”