1854 Pattern Wilkinson Grenadier Guards Officer’s Sword, Sold

Overall good condition (blade near mint), well campaign etched Wilkinson 1854 Pattern Grenadier Guards Officer’s Picquet Weight Sword dated to 1908 and with the Rose family (Rayners, Buckinghmashire) coat of arms.

This Wilkinson made, campaign etched sword bears the family crest of the Rose family of Rayners, Buckinghamshire (A stag Argent collared, and resting the dexter foreleg on a water bouget Azure) with family Latin motto "Probitate ac virtute" (Integrity and Virtue) and is serial numbered by Wilkinson 41923, which dates the sword to 1908. The Wilkinson sales ledger confirms this sword and one other were sold to on the 21st August 1908 to one "I Ste C Rose". This is almost certainly one Lieutenant Ivor St Croix Rose who transferred to the Grenadier Guards from the Kings Royal Rifle Corps on the 15th August 1908.

These dates ties in with the exceptional crisp campaign etching which shows "South Africa 1902" as the last battle honour for the Grenadier Guards at that time. The fishskin grip and ring bindings are in very good condition and complete, plus the blade is firm in the hilt, but the backpiece and tang button are loose. The 82 cm blade is in exceptionally good condition; near mint. The steel scabbard is a little rusted but sound and without any major dents. Further pictures available upon request. My item reference number is 148 (30)

NB: The hilt is steel, not plated so can be easily restored. The scabbard need then only be re-plated and you would have an exceptional sword with fantastic provenance. Happy to help purchaser source restorer.

Other research notes: Ivor Rose was promoted from second lieutenant to first lieutenant while serving for the Kings Royal Rifle Corps on the 15th April 1901. As a Lieutenant in the Kings Royal Rifle Corps, Ivor Rose was stationed in Harar, Ethiopia (1904). Lieutenant Ivor S. C. Rose was promoted from Lieutenant to the rank of Captain of the Grenadier Guards on the 2nd November 1914. He saw out World War One and his medal card is available from the National Archives.