In VGC, a scarce 1892P Victorian British Infantry Officer’s Sword by Hobson & Sons of London
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The 1892p is a little known and seldom encountered British infantry officer’s sword pattern; it is basically the 1854 “Gothic” brass hilt / guard but with a new “dumbbell” (central fuller) blade; the dumbbell blade as known / recognized in all more recent swords (i.e. the half basket steel hilted / guarded 1895/1897p, which is still the current pattern to this day). The 1892P came about during a very quiet period for the British military, plus officers with the 1854p saw scant reason to invest a lot of money buying an 1892P, as it was identical to their 1854p’s except for the blade (which change was not that noticeable). Plus, when the 1895P steel basket hilted sword was mandated / regulated, most of those officers who had bought 1892P’s simply had their sword blades remounted into 1895P/1897P hilts. So, very few 1892P’s were made and a tiny number of those avoided being converted to 1895P’s; this is one of the very few 1892P’s that exist. Made by and etched at the forte / ricasso to “Hobson & Sons, 1-3-5 Lexington St. London W”, a very high quality sword maker / cutler. Dates from 1892 to 1895 for obvious reasons.
The very well etched 32 5/8 inch blade is in very good condition with only minor wear and specks of patina, plus is firm in the hilt. The bright brass hilt / guard is in very good condition, as are the fishskin grip and associated twisted grip wire bindings (some wear). The steel scabbard is good but has a ding towards the chape. The sword sheathes and draws well.
A scarce 1892P by a quality maker in well above average condition; a serious collector’s dream. Just was £? (too late, now sold). Please quote item reference AI10. Further / full sized images available upon request. Box 1894 (1.544) 103 x 11 x 13
