Original British WWII Royal Navy Officers Sword by Gieves Ltd. with Etched Blade & Damaged Scabbard Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice WWII Pattern Royal Navy Officers Sword, with a lovely etched 31 1/2″ inch long flat backed blade. This simple design replaced the earlier “piped back” type.

The sword features a solid “Gothic” style half basket guard, which bears the King’s Crown over a “Fouled Anchor”, the emblem of the Royal Navy. It has a a partial fold-down guard, which made it more comfortable to wear on the hip. It also has a hole to lock into the locket of the scabbard. The grip is wrapped with ray skin and bound with copper wires, and the pommel is a very attractive “Lion’s Head” design. The hilt is still tight on the blade, and has a lovely aged brass patina.

The blade still retains much of the original etching on both sides of the blade. This includes the standard foliate designs, as well as the British Royal Coat of Arms, as well as another King’s Crown over a Fouled Anchor.  On the ricasso there is the name of the retailer, under the Coat of Arms, indicating that they were an official supplier to the crown:

BY APPOINTMENT
GIEVES
~ LTD ~
LONDON
& DEVONPORT

The ricasso on the other side side has the usual six pointed star, with a brass insert that has a King’s Crown over PROVED. The spine of the blade is marked with LONDON MADE. The retailer Gieves Ltd. would most likely buy raw blades from London sword makers, and then etch and fit them to scabbards and hilts.

The sword comes with a brass-fit leather scabbard, which unfortunately has seen some better days. The brass portions are fine, but the leather has shrunk and deteriorated. It looks to have broken completely through just above the chape/drag, and then was repaired with glue. Unfortunately the blade can no longer pass this point, so it sticks out of the scabbard when sheathed, and the lock can no longer be used.

A very nice WWII Royal Navy sword, ready to add to your collection!

Specifications:
Overall length: 37 1/4” 
Blade length: 31 1/2”
Basket dimensions: 4 1/2″ width x 5” length
Scabbard length: 31”