Original British Crimean War Officer Pattern 1854 Infantry Sword by Thurkle & Sons of London Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. The Crimean War 1852 until 1856 was essentially the confrontation of Imperial Russia with the Ottoman Empire based in Turkey supported by an alliance between Great Britain and France. The Europeans did not want Russia with an access to the Mediterranean sea allowing them increased influence in the region.

As with most Wars it was imagined it would be over in short order but the distances involved to the Crimea on the Black Sea and the brutal conditions on site caused terrible illness with great loss of life. In battle things got worse through sheer inept command culminating in the disaster that is now known as the “CHARGE OF THE LIGHT BRIGADE.” A massive British defeat. Fortunately the Russians fared no better and after four years, hostilities were terminated essentially awarding Victory to the European allies.

However, lessons were learned and one minor one was that under inclement weather conditions, both hot and cold, steel scabbards deteriorated far more swiftly than brass ones. The biggest lesson of the Campaign was the use of an official medical corp to deal with wounds and illness in the field. This was largely brought about by the “LADY WITH THE LAMP” Nurse Florence Nightingale.

Here we offer a Pattern 1854 officer’s sword fitted with an embossed blade with Royal Cypher and proof touch mark showing the maker’s name:

THURKLE & SONS, DENMARK ST, SOHO, LONDON

The Brass branch Guard bears the Royal Crown over V.R. cypher, the grip is brass wire bound ray skin, and the straight blade is 33″ long. The sword comes complete with an ALL BRASS field scabbard which after the CRIMEAN WAR became known as “colonial” issue.

By the close of the Victorian era field scabbards had all become wood covered leather and parade scabbards were usually plated all steel scabbards. Brass scabbards, were by that time, out of favor due to the fragile nature of the material.

A wonderful genuine officer sword perfect for any Crimean War collection.