1821 P Macedonian Gendarmerie Sword of Major
G L Bonham (sold) |
In good condition, 1904 made Wilkinson special specification cavalry
sword for then Capt. George Lionel Bonham, serving in HM Service
with the Macedonian Gendarmerie.
 

A special contract sword made by Wilkinson in 1904, serial number
40076 for Captain George Lionel Bonham of the Grenadier Guards.
Capt. Bonham, after serving in the Boer War with the 2nd Battalion
of the Grenadier Guards, was appointed to represent His Majesty
Edward 7th in the multi-national (Britain, Russia, France, Austria,
Turkey) Macedonian Gendarmerie; mounted special police. The sword
clearly offering both cavalry and foot handling. The blade almost
of French characteristics but certainly British (made by Wilkinson)


George Lionel Bonham was born on 6 August 1873. He was the son
of Sir George Francis Bonham, 2nd Bt. and Louisa Buchanan. He married
Amy Gaskell, daughter of Captain Henry Brooks Gaskell, on 11 June
1898. He made 2nd Lieutenant with the Grenadier Guards on the 12
March 1892, Lieutenant on 25th August 1896, Captain on 28th October
1899, Major on 14th February 1908. He was assigned to the Macedonian
Gendarmerie on the 12th April 1904. He became a staff officer for
the same between 1907 and 1909. He was Colonel of the Turkish Gendarmerie
of Smyrna between 1909 and 1910 and died, some say under suspicious
or even "sensitive" circumstances on 23rd January 1910
at age 36.
This is the sword he held as a British officer serving in the Macedonian
Gendarmerie. He appears as a peer. I am sure there is a lot of interesting
information available for both his time in the Boer War and Gendarmerie
;-).
The 32 1/2 inch blade is in very good order, a few patinated areas,
and firm in the hilt. The steel hilt with light surface rust (now
stabilized) which would easily clean up if required. The grip is
quite worn (which is not a bad thing as it indicates it was held
by Bonham a lot) but still in good order and the twisted grip wire
bindings also good. The leather field service scabbard is worn and
there is some stitching splitting in places, but overall sound.
For those who like interesting swords with a provenance and research
opportunities, and / or collectors of very rare swords, this is
well and truly worth every penn. Further / full sized pictures available
upon request. Item Ref: 651 (279)

|