Original Item: One Only.
This is a most interesting sidearm, issued during the period of National panic surrounding the early Napoleonic Wars. There was great fear that the French hordes would invade England. The great Naval Battle of Trafalgar in 1805 pretty much ensured that Napoleon’s Invasion would never happen, but Great Britain maintained its County Militias for many more years, until Napoleon’s final defeat at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815.
This example is from the County of Dorset on England’s South Western Coast: Thomas Hardy country. The sword is marked:- “DORSET MILA” on the bottom of the hilt knuckle guard, although the somewhat worn. The 27″ straight blade bears a large Crowned G.R. stamped onto each side plus other proof and acceptance markings. The hilt knuckle bow is all brass, the grip ribbed iron. The scabbard is unfortunately absent.
A very interesting Militia Sword circa 1800.