Constabulary short swords were standard issue in the 19th Century for members of the British police and prison wardens.
The lack of a locking catch dates this hanger to pre-1850. Around 1850, the locking catch was added after a number of incidents in which police officers and prison wardens had their swords snatched out of the scabbards and turned against them.
The 625mm broad, curved blade has a flat spine above a long single fuller on both sides. The fuller continues almost to the spear point. The blade is double-edged for the last 230mm and is in good condition with minimal use related marks and faint patches of pale tarnish.
The forte is etched with the maker’s details; Parker, Field & Sons, 233 Holborn. London.
The steel guard has a “D” shaped knuckle bow with disk quillon and stepped oval pommel through which the tang is peened. The contoured grip is wrapped with shagreen and finished with twisted copper wire. This is rare. Constabulary hangers do not usually have wire on the grip. The presence of grip wire might indicate that the sword was used by a sergeant or similarly ranked officer within a prison. The grip is in very good condition and the original wire is tight. The blade is firm in the hilt.
The sword is complete with its original leather scabbard with steel locket and chape. The chape is a later replacement. The leather of the scabbard is in good condition with some age-related crazing and loss to the original finish. The sword sheathes and draws smoothly and is held firmly within the scabbard.
This is a good example of an early Victorian British constabulary short sword.
