This British 1821/56 pattern Victorian Royal Artillery officer’s sword is named to Lieutenant J. S. Jackson of the 2nd Northumberland (Percy) Artillery Volunteers. The Percy Tenantry Artillery was the most prestigious of the British volunteer artillery regiments and was founded in 1805, under the patronage of Hugh Percy, the 3rd Duke of Northumberland. The regiment served throughout the period of the Peninsular Wars until 1814 and was re-formed in 1859 as the 2nd Northumberland (Percy) Volunteer Artillery, with the continued patronage of Algernon George Percy, 6th Duke of Northumberland. The regiment disbanded in 1899.
The sword was made by George Pillin and retailed by Hobson & Sons.
The 815mm blade is single-edged with a flat spine over a broad, three-quarter length fuller. The blade terminates in a spear point and retains its factory edge. The blade is double-edged for the final 280mm.
The blade is etched with ogee and trefoil arches and foliate scrollwork above and below the winged lightning bolts of the Artillery. The forte is engraved with the owner’s name; Lieutenant J. S. Jackson. 2nd N. A. V.
The obverse is etched with arches and foliate scrollwork surrounding a flaming grenade and a field gun.
The ricasso bears the brass proof disk of George Alfrad Pillin. The obverse ricasso bears the cutler’s details, Hobson & Sons. Little Windmill Street, London. W.
The blade and etching are in excellent, near mint condition.
The three-bar steel guard is in very good condition. The shagreen covered grip is in great condition and the three strands of twisted wire are intact and tight. The blade is firm in the hilt.
The sword is complete with its polished steel scabbard with twin suspension rings. The scabbard is in very good condition with some faint, light scratches and small patches of pale speckled tarnish. The sword sheathes and draws smoothly and is held firmly within the scabbard.
This is an excellent example of a Victorian Volunteer Artillery officer’s sword, by a top English maker and named to an officer of the prestigious Percy Volunteer Artillery.
