Original Item: Only One Available. This is a lovely example of a British Victorian Era Pattern 1822 Officer’s Sword, complete with its original scabbard. The sword has a lovely etched blade bearing the Croom Castle “Crom a Boo” crest. The sword itself is numbered 17560 and Wilkinson records show that it was purchased by FitzGerald on November 11, 1871, The sword is accompanied by a folder of relevant information to FitzGerald.
Colonel Sir Charles John Oswald FitzGerald was born on June 6, 1840 and is the son of General James FitzGerald. He received his education at Edinburgh Academy and joined the Indian Army in 1857, serving during the Indian Mutiny. In 1860 he became Adjutant of Central India Horse, Adjutant of the 3rd Cavalry Hyderabad Contingent in 1862 and commanded them during the Afghan Campaign in 1880. He was the Political Aide De Camp to the Secretary of State for India in 1882 and then later commanded his regiment in the Burma Campaign.
The sword is very nice, and has the Regulation Pattern 1822 three bar hilt, with a wooden sharkskin wrapped grip bound with twisted wire. There is lovely etching on the blade, with the ricasso marked with the maker information:
HENRY
WILKINSON
PALL MALL
LONDON
Wilkinson Sword is a formerly British brand for razors and other personal care products sold in Europe, owned by the US company Edgewell Personal Care. The company was founded as a manufacturer of guns made in Shotley Bridge in County Durham, by Henry Nock in London in 1772.
Besides guns, the company has also produced swords, bayonets and products such as typewriters, garden shears, scissors and motorcycles. Gardening equipment is still made under the Wilkinson Sword name by E.P. Barrus under a licensing arrangement. Wilkinson Sword has manufactured its products in three UK locations over the years: in London (Chelsea and Acton), Cramlington in Northumberland, and Bridgend in Wales, where it made gardening tools. In 2000, the company closed its razor plant in the UK and consolidated production in Germany. In 2014, the company further moved most of its production to Czech Republic.
The rest of the blade has lovely foliate and scroll designs, and each side has the CROWN / VR Royal Cypher of Queen Victoria. There is the usual Six Pointed star with a small brass inlay, though instead of the usual “PROVED”, there are several letters in Blackletter Typeface.
The scabbard is the standard regulation double ring type, and is made from plated steel. It has a nice light patina, with a shallow dent near the drag.
A very nice officer’s sword from a well known regiment. Ready to display!
Specifications:
Blade Length: 32 1/4″
Blade Style: Single Edge w/ Fuller
Overall length: 38“
Scabbard Length: 33 1/2″