This British 1821/1856 pattern Royal Artillery officer’s sword was made by the Solingen based maker, Gebruder Grah and retailed by Jeffries of Liverpool between 1856 and 1873.
The 820mm blade is single edged with a flat spine over a broad, three-quarter length fuller. The slightly curved blade terminates in a spear point and retains its factory edge. The blade is double-edged for the final 300mm.
The blade is etched with foliate and floral scrollwork above the winged lightning bolts of the Royal Artillery. Below the artillery emblem is further foliate and floral scrollwork. The forte is etched with acanthus sprays. The obverse is etched with foliate scrollwork above a flaming grenade and field gun. The forte is etched with foliate scrollwork within trefoil arches.
The ricasso bears the brass proof disk of Gebruder Grah of Solingen, Germany. The obverse ricasso bears the cutler’s details, Jeffries, Corperas Hill, Liverpool. Henry Jeffries was an outfitter with premises at 10 Corperas Hill between 1853 and 1873.
The blade and etching are in excellent condition, with tiny areas of tarnish, mainly towards the point.
The three-bar steel guard incorporates a second lanyard slot at the front, in addition to the usual slot at the base of the guard and is in very good condition. The shagreen covered grip is in very good condition. The three strands of copper wire binding are intact. The blade is firm in the hilt.
The sword is complete with its polished steel scabbard with twin suspension rings. The scabbard is in good condition with a speckled patina. The sword sheathes and draws smoothly and is held firmly within the scabbard.
This is a good example of a Victorian Artillery officer’s sword with a clean, etched blade and unusual second lanyard slot in the guard.
