English Short Sword

[celtan]

Hi Guys,

I have had this sword for a long while. Originally bough same as belonging to the "Tower Of London Beefeater" guards, but it doesn't seem to fit the bill, at least to me.

The blade was soiled to the point of blackness. Once cleaned, it evidenced faded and worn signs of its original etching. The words "Covent Garden" were eventually seen, very faint, at its ricasso. The half-shell guard's shield seems to correspond to the Portcullis in London's Westminster Abbey.

The etching and fish skin grips seem to suggest a post 1850s to early 20th C. manufacture date.

Any ideas, beyond what I already know? A coronation guard? An abbey grounds warden?

I know there were at least a couple sword retailers at Covent Garden: "Hamburger Rogers & Co" and "J & B PEARSE & CO".

(BTW, I hope this is not another of the usual cases where nobody else knows more than I do. )

: )

Best

Manolo


Caveat: This, as any of any and all of the other blades in my collection, may be sold at some point in time in the future..!