Constabulary short swords were standard issue in the mid-19th Century for members of the British police and prison wardens.
This sword pre-dates the addition of locking catches. Locking catches was added from 1850, 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 locking catch on this sword was added once the new regulation was adopted.
The 562mm 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 200mm. The blade is in good condition with patches of pale tarnish that can be polished out. The forte is etched with the makers’ 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 wooden grip is wrapped with shagreen. The grip is in very good condition with minor age and use related wear. The blade is firm in the hilt.
This is an good example of an early Victorian police sword with a rarely encountered retro-fitted locking catch dating its manufacture to pre-1850.
