In VGC, an 1828P Scottish Infantry Officer’s Basket Hilted Broadsword
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Etched at the forte / ricasso to Wilkinson Sword Ltd of London (by appointment to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II), but with no serial number. There are many opinions as to why this is; regarding this sword, because it is plain bladed / does not have the monarch’s royal cypher, we believe it is a Wilkinson Sword but classified by them as an unregulated version and therefore not one to be given a serial number; but you make up your own minds. The high quality is certainly Wilkinson standard.
This sword was previously sold by revered auction house Bonhams in Edinburgh (30th August 2012) for £812.50, who catalogoed it thus;
“An 1828 pattern basket hilted Officer’s broadsword
Wilkinson Sword Ltd,
The 82cm plated blade with single fuller stamped on the riccaso with broad arrow and ‘TWSCL 4’ within an circular cartouche, the obverse etched with Royal Coat of Arms ‘By appointment to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth Sword Cutlers Wilkinson Sword Ltd, made in England’ regulation basket hilt with liner, wire bound fish skin grip, in its leather covered scabbard with plated ball end chape together with its plated all metal scabbard and a leather sword case, (3).”
We do not have nor know what happened to the leather sword case (we don’t have it / it is not included). But £812.50 in 2012 equates to a lot more now, more than we are selling it for.
As for the TWSCL 4 bespoke proof mark on the obverse of the forte, we understand it relates to a high standing school or college, but have no idea which one.
The 32 1/2 inch plain blade is in very good condition and firm in the hilt. The plated steel basket hilt is also in very good condition, as is the fish skin grip and associated twisted grip wire bindings. The scarlet hilt liner with royal blue edgings / ribbons and scarlet sword tassle are a little aged but good. The plated steel scabbard also with a little age is nonetheless good. The sword sheathes and draws well.
A great looking sword at the immensely affordable price of was £? (too late, now sold). Please quote item reference AH95. Further / full sized images available upon reuqest. Box 1892 (2.622) 107 x 16 x 17
