Original British Victorian P-1822 Honorable Horse Artillery Company Officer’s Sword with Scabbard Original Items

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 naming it to the Honorable Horse Artillery Company, Honorable Artillery Company.

The Honorable Artillery Company (HAC) was incorporated by royal charter in 1537 by King Henry VIII, and it is a now registered charity whose purpose is to attend to the “better defense of the realm”. This is primarily achieved by supporting the HAC regiment and a detachment of City of London Special Constabulary. The HAC regiment is the second-oldest military corps in the world. The word “artillery” in “Honorable Artillery Company” does not have the current meaning that is generally associated with it, but dates from a time when in the English language that word meant any projectile, including for example arrows shot from a bow. The equivalent form of words in modern English would be either “Honorable Infantry Company” or “Honorable Military Company”.

In the 17th century, its members played a significant part in the formation of both the Royal Marines and the Grenadier Guards. More recently, regiments, battalions and batteries of the Company fought with distinction in both World Wars and its current Regiment, which forms part of the Army Reserve, is the oldest surviving regiment in the British Army, and the second most senior in the Army Reserve after the Royal Monmouthshire Royal Engineers (Militia). Members of the Regiment and Specials are drawn, for the most part, from young men and women working in and around the City and Greater London. Those leaving the active units may become Veteran Members and remain within the fraternity of the Company.

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 or supplier information:

HUGH
JAMES
OLD BOND ST
LONDON

Hugh James of 55 (Old) Bond St was listed as a maker of Breeches Maker / Tailor in the 1842 edition of Robson’s London Directory, Street Key, Classification of Trades, and Royal Court Guide and Peerage.

The rest of the blade has lovely foliate and scroll designs, and each side has the CROWN / VR Royal Cypher of Queen Victoria. On one side, underneath this it is etched with the unit designation Honorable Horse Artillery Company. 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 blade is mostly dull gray, with light staining, and cleaning has worn the etching, so the background is mostly faded now.

The scabbard is the standard regulation double ring type, and is made from unplated steel. It has a nice gray 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: 33 1/2″
Blade Style: Single Edge w/ Fuller
Overall length: 38 1/2“
Scabbard Length: 35 1/2″