British P1897 Sword - Queen Victoria Cypher

Description

11/20/24 - This is a great example of an early British Pattern 1897 sword. These swords were issued in 1897 to coincide with Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee. They have since been a staple among British dress uniforms, with the royal cyphers on the swords changing with the change of the current monarch. This particular example has Queen Victoria's royal cypher, so this sword would have been issued during her reign as Queen of the United Kingdom. This sword is in overall great condition and still has it's leather wrapped scabbard. Often these scabbards no longer have the leather cover. The leather is in very good condition, but does have areas with scuffs and scratches. The blade on this sword is in overall great condition, but does have some patina and signs of oxidation in areas on the blade. The blade has no signs of being sharpened. The half-basket guard on this sword is nickel plated and still retains almost all of its finish with minor flaking and bubbling of the plating. The grip still has its ray skin and wire wrapped handle. The guard is also marked with what might be a unit designation, "W. 10 R.C.E. 1.".