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 555mm 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 very good condition with minimal use related marks.
The steel guard has a “D” shaped knuckle bow with disk quillon and stepped oval pommel through which the tang is peened. The quillon is engraved with a Broad Arrow mark, indicating government ownership.
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. Maybe a military policeman or prison warder given the Broad Arrow mark. 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 leather of the scabbard is in very good condition. The sword sheathes and draws smoothly and is held firmly within the scabbard.
This is a very good example of an early Victorian British constabulary short sword.
