This Victorian Rifle officer’s sword was made by Benjamin Thurkle prior to 1864 and is in great condition.
The 830mm single-edged blade is of the 1845 “Wilkinson” pattern. The blade is slightly curved with a flat spine above a broad single fuller and tapers to a double-edged spear point. The spine is 8mm thick and the blade is 29mm wide at the ricasso. The blade is double-edged for the last 270mm.
The blade is etched with Queen Victoria’s crowned royal cipher over crossed laurels. Arched panels and foliate scrollwork complete the decoration. The obverse of the blade has the Rifle Brigade’s strung horn below a crowned, black cartouche. The ricasso is etched with the retailer’s details, “Swithenbank & Son. Bradford.” The obverse ricasso bears a brass proof stud known to have been used by Benjamin Thurkle before 1864. The blade is in fantastic condition.
The Gothic steel guard is in very good condition and incorporates an oval cartouche containing the crowned, strung horn badge of the Rifle Regiment. The guard is bright and rust free with a pale patina. The shagreen grip is in excellent condition and the three strands of copper wire are intact and tight. The blade is firm in the hilt.
The steel scabbard has a German silver throat and two suspension rings. The top ring band also has a bar. The scabbard is in overall great condition. The sword sheathes and draws smoothly.
This is an excellent example of a Victorian Rifle officer’s sword. While Rifles swords are relatively common, finding one in this condition is not easy.
