Here is a very pretty officer's sword. This is an English officer's sword from the reign of King William IV. ‎He ruled England from 1830 until 1837. Known as the ‘Sailor King’ (for 10 years the young Prince William, brother of George IV, served in the Royal Navy), he was the third son of George III. Before his accession he lived with a Mrs. Jordan, an actress, by whom he had ten children. When Princess Charlotte died, he had to marry in order to secure the succession. He married Adelaide of Saxe-Coburg in 1818. He had two daughters but they did not live. He hated pomp and wanted to dispense with the Coronation. The people loved him because of his lack of pretension. During his reign Britain abolished slavery in the colonies in 1833. The Reform Act was passed in 1832, this extended the franchise to the middle-classes on a basis of property qualifications. This pattern of sword is officially known as the British Pattern 1822 Infantry Officer's Sword. The brass handguard has the "IV" on the guard below the English Crown. The back side of the hand guard has the fold down section that is still functional. On the inside of the handguard it has the original leather piece that is almost always missing. It also has the majority of the original sword knot intact. The handle of the sword has the wire-wrapped sharkskin grip. The sword has a full length steel blade that measures 32 1/4th inches. The blade has a fine color all over with as couple of nicks along the edge. At the base of each side it has the King William design etched into the metal. The sword is accompanied by the original leather and brass scabbard. When we acquired the sword it was in three pieces and we had it professionally restored for display purposes. Now it displays quite well. This is a great looking sword that is almost 200 years old.

Print Email to a friend