Code: 12288
A scarce 1904 Experimental Cavalry Troopers Sword by Wilkinson Sword.
Around 200 of these were made for trials in the summer of 1904, in the wake of the poor performance of the 1899 pattern cavalry troopers sword during the Boer war. They were produced by Wilkinson, Enfield, and Mole. Nowadays they are few and far between, most were tested to destruction, with a small amount being "sold out of service" or otherwise spirited away. I am aware of an example in the Royal Armouries, and a small handful of others in private hands.
This example shows signs of having born the brunt of those tests, the guard is of quite a thin gauge of steel, with rolled edge, and has clearly been dented and bent in several areas, with some impact marks.
The sword's grip is one of its most distinctive, and innovative design features, ergonomically formed to natrually anchoring the index finger, allowing the sword point to be "aimed" when thrusting. Being much lighter than the 1899 pattern, the whole sword is much more agile, and quite enjoyable to wield.
The grip is of patent solid hilt type, and has chequered grips which I would describe as horn, although I have variously seen them described as wood, vulcanite, and gutta percha, so I wonder if there were a variety of grips employed. The grips on this example have slivers missing, so I am relatively confident that they are of horn. Perhaps they varied by maker? These are fixed in place with three bayonet style screw bolts, allowing for the grips to be easily replaced if damaged, a feature which came in towards the end of the 1899 pattern.
The 35” straight blade with a ‘T’ shaped section culminating in a spear point. Stamped makers marking at the ricasso of ‘Wilkinson London" along with a date of "6, 04" for June 1904, along with inspectors markings, bend test mark, the spine with a "pattern" date of "/04".
The blade in good overall condition, light staining and patination. It has recieved a blow to the cutting edge around eight inches up from the hilt which has left a noticable mark, and I suspect it is this lack of strength in the parry which led to this sword not being adopted.
Overal I would describe this example as slightly above average, it has certainly been through the testing phase, and perhaps was retained by one of the regiments who were tasked with putting it through its paces.
These swords rarely come up for sale, and are an important evolutionary step in the chain from the rather poor 1899 pattern to the final, and some consider best designed, 1908 cavalry troopers sword.
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