Victorian Grenadier Officers Sword of Charles Leslie-Melville, Sold

In good condition (the blade exceptionally good), the Victorian British Grenadier Officers Sword of Charles Le despencer Leslie-Melville.

Etched at the ricasso to quality maker Pillin, with dumbbell type blade (1892+) and Battle Honours up to and including Khartoum (1898), so the sword post dates 1899 and pre-dates 1901 (end of Victoria's reign). Etched "CLM" to the blade, the only officer with those initials in the Grenadier Guards 1899 to 1901 was Charles Le despencer Leslie-Melville, commissioned as 2nd Lieut on 24th June 1899.

The 32 32 1/4 inch blade is in good condition (some wear, age, etc.) and firm in the hilt. The hilt is generally very good, but with a little age. The fishskin grip and twisted grip wire bindings are aged but good. The steel scabbard is in good condition but for a small hole near the chape / drag and small ding one side. The sword sheathes and draws well enough but is tight to draw when you fully sheathed (yet is easy to fully sheath).

Charles Le despencer Leslie-Melville comes from a family associated with the Grenadier Guards. It appears he first was a Lieutenant in the 4th Battalion the Lincolnshire Regiment, but took a demotion to earn a commission with the Grenadier Guards as 2nd Lieutenant on 24th June 1899. On the 19th May, 1900, he made Lieutenant. It then appears he went into private life and actually went bankrupt in 1912 (failed gentleman's clubs). Then during WW1 he was again commissioned as a Lieutenant of the Grenadier Guards on 11th September, 1914. He survived WW1 as he died in 1929, and had achieved the rank of Captain. So plenty of interesting research to be done here, to say the least!

What a great sword that once belonged to a really interesting officer. Go on, you will regret it if you don't buy it, just £? (too late, now sold). Please quote item reference AD85 (0594). Further / full sized images available upon request.