officer's sword

Infantry Officer sword and scabbard, 1897 pattern. Belonged to Major J Fildes who served in 2nd Volunteer Battalion in 1901 as a Captain and as Honorary Major in 1904. Hilt: sheet steel guard pierced to make strap-work decoration incorporating fleur de lys and crowned royal cipher GR. Slot for wrist strap near pommel. Plain pommel with tang button, diamond hatched back-piece, grooved ferrule and grey fish-skin grip bound with twisted wire remains under back-piece but rest of wire missing. Brown leather wrist strap wound around top of guard, leather acorn missing. Blade: Straight, false edge, flat back edge, with buff leather washer. Scabbard: wood lined 1901 revision of brown leather 1899 Pattern for universal use with service dress. Steel mouthpiece, vertical strap on reverse of sheath to attach it to the frog button of a Sam Browne belt. Leather drag shoe.