This British 1845/54 pattern infantry officer’s sword was made by Edward Thurkle between 1889 and 1890. The sword was the property of Major General John Blackburne Smith CB., CIE.
The 835mm single-edged blade has a flat spine above a broad single fuller on both sides and is the Wilkinson 1845 pattern. The blade was service sharpened and has a 230mm upper edge and terminates in a spear point.
The blade is in excellent condition and is deeply etched on both sides with foliate panels and the crowned cypher of Queen Victoria. The forte is etched with the owner’s name. This is a robust fighting sword. The spine is 10mm thick at the ricasso. The spine is marked with a centre of percussion arrow between the letters C & P.
The ricasso is etched with the cutler’s name and address: “E. Thurkle & Sons. Denmark Street, Soho, London.” Edward Thurkle and Sons used this mark and traded from this address between 1889 and 1890. The obverse ricasso bears a Thurkle proof stud.
The barred, gothic arched guard is the 1854 fixed pattern. The gilt brass guard bears the Royal cypher of Queen Victoria above the Flowers of Union – the rose, thistle and shamrock and is in good condition. There is wear to the gilt finish and the brass has a good patina.
The ray skin grip is in good condition. The twisted copper wire is present. The hilt’s back strap has a knurled thumb rest and acanthus style decoration flowing into the stepped pommel with a tang button. The blade is firm in the hilt.
The sword is complete with its nickel-plated steel scabbard with two suspension rings. The scabbard is in very good condition with mild speckling and small spots of loss to the plating. The sword sheathes and draws smoothly and is held firmly within the scabbard.
This is a very fine example of a Victorian infantry officer’s fighting sword by a top English maker and named to a Major General.
