Need help identifying British style Afghan cavalry sabre

David R · 27th June 2021, 11:47 AM

East India Company or a Native States army, NCO who would have their sword issued rather than privately purchased.Native State would also cover Afghanistan.

Will M · 28th June 2021, 03:06 AM

I see the crown but under it i'm not sure. I don't think it's a VR. Possibly finding another sword with less wear could answer as to what it represents?

Looks like the guard at the pommel has a brazed repair.
I do agree a sergeants sword, it would have been kept polished which explains the wear.
A blade of 73 cm could be a bayonet blade repurposed as a short sword. The interesting hilt was obviously added at some point.
Try looking at period photos, there are many available and one of more may have this pattern of sword. Lots of history in that part of the world at that time.

David R · 28th June 2021, 11:33 AM

The pattern started with George IV, so you have a choice of George IV and William IV as monograms as well as Victoria. Here is Georges monogram on a sword of this pattern. But if its East India Co. they also used their own badge or seal.

Jim McDougall · 28th June 2021, 03:17 PM

Thanks for showing the cartouche.
These were almost invariably VR (Queen Victoria 1837-1901)
George IV, was Prince Regent 1811-1820 and became George IV 1820. As this was an 1822 pattern and he passed in 1830, these with that cartouche are not common.

The William IV would be even more so of course.

This hilt seems roughly cast as even worn the relief would not be that indistinguishable.

Will M · 28th June 2021, 08:09 PM

Yes it does appear to be a rough sand cast guard probably taken from an existing sword guard. I find these swords interesting considering the likelihood of them being used in battle.

28th June 2021, 11:33 AM	#3
David R Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 1,116	The pattern started with George IV, so you have a choice of George IV and William IV as monograms as well as Victoria. Here is Georges monogram on a sword of this pattern. But if its East India Co. they also used their own badge or seal. Attached Images

27th June 2021, 11:47 AM	#1
David R Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 1,116	East India Company or a Native States army, NCO who would have their sword issued rather than privately purchased.Native State would also cover Afghanistan.

28th June 2021, 03:06 AM	#2
Will M Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: In the wee woods north of Napanee Ontario Posts: 394	I see the crown but under it i'm not sure. I don't think it's a VR. Possibly finding another sword with less wear could answer as to what it represents? Looks like the guard at the pommel has a brazed repair. I do agree a sergeants sword, it would have been kept polished which explains the wear. A blade of 73 cm could be a bayonet blade repurposed as a short sword. The interesting hilt was obviously added at some point. Try looking at period photos, there are many available and one of more may have this pattern of sword. Lots of history in that part of the world at that time.

28th June 2021, 03:17 PM	#4
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,191	Thanks for showing the cartouche. These were almost invariably VR (Queen Victoria 1837-1901) George IV, was Prince Regent 1811-1820 and became George IV 1820. As this was an 1822 pattern and he passed in 1830, these with that cartouche are not common. The William IV would be even more so of course. This hilt seems roughly cast as even worn the relief would not be that indistinguishable.

28th June 2021, 08:09 PM	#5
Will M Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: In the wee woods north of Napanee Ontario Posts: 394	Yes it does appear to be a rough sand cast guard probably taken from an existing sword guard. I find these swords interesting considering the likelihood of them being used in battle.