I have to admit that this sword has me stumped. At first glance it looks like a British 1822 pattern pipe-back infantry officer’s sword. That said, and despite the pipe-back blade, it is not old enough to be an original 1822. My gut feeling is that it dates from the late 19th or early 20th Century. Long after the pipe-back blade was replaced by the 1845 pattern “Wilkinson” blade, and probably after the P1822/45 was replaced as the regulation pattern for British officers.
Adding to the mystery is the fact that the cartouche in the guard shows a trophy of arms and not the usual royal cypher of the reigning monarch or the crossed baton and sword of field officer or general rank. Finally, the scabbard is of steel construction with brass furniture, mimicking the leather and brass of the original P1822 scabbards.
The 796 mm pipe-back blade terminates in a spear point. The slightly curved piquet weight blade is nickel plated. The plating is intact and without loss or bubbling. There are patches of age related tarnish along its length. The un-etched blade is without makers’ details.
The blade is firm in the Gothic style hilt. The gilt brass guard is in great condition and has a folding section typical of the British 1822 pattern. The back strap has acanthus style decoration and flows into a stepped pommel, again, just like the British P1822. The shagreen covered grip is in great condition and the three strands of wire binding are intact and tight. The cartouche, as mentioned is the only indication that the guard and sword are not British. The guard is complete with a period black and gold bullion knot.
The steel scabbard resembles the leather and brass scabbards of the early British P1822. The brass fittings retain their gilt finish and the steel is chemically blackened (probably blued). The scabbard is in great condition and the sword sheathes and draws smoothly and is held firmly within the scabbard.
This is a fine example of a pipe-back dress sword despite its unknown branch of service, maker or country of origin. A great sword and a mystery, both for the price of one!
