In fairly good condition, the Victorian British Royal Naval O|fficer’s Wilkinson Sword of GFW Grayson
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Godfrey Francis William Grayson; threatened with being put in irons and then Court Martialed on the 11th August 1916, his time as a Royal Navy officer during World War One was not always a happy one!
You can read all about his career and the court martial here (early RN career) and here (later career and court martial).
The inside of the guard / hilt engraved with his initials “G F W G”. Serial number 35454 on the spine of the blade. The Wilkinson Sword sales ledger confirms that the sword was sold to G F W Grayson (sword finished on 3rd January 1898) at the time while he was a RN midshipman being promoted to 2nd lieutenant.
The 31 1/2 inch blade has plenty of dark patina patches and some pitting but the etching is still clear and the blade itself is firm in the hilt. The brass hilt aged but good; the folding guard section works well and locates as it should onto the scabbard’s securing pin. The white fishskin grip is good but a little grubby (probably from Grayson’s nervous sweat!); the associated twisted grip wire bindings are good. The leather and brass fittings scabbard is fairly good; a kink in the leather near the chape and the brass chape itself with a few minor dings. The sword sheathes and draws well.
A WW1 Royal Navy officer’s Wilkinson Sword with one heck of a history. Own it for £800. Please quote item reference AI05. Further / full sized images available upon request. Box 1915 106 x 15 x 16 (2.033).
