Code: 11886
Victorian Highland Light Infantry Officers Broadsword By Wilkinson.
A fascinating if somewhat neglected sword which was purchased and carried by Major James Argyll Spalding Inglis, 71st Highland Light Infantry. Sadly he died suddenly on the 1st of April 1883, whilst serving as the British District Commissioner of Nicosia, Cyprus.
He never got to see his unborn son, who was born in Edinburgh in July 1883, and named James in honour of his father. After education at The Edinburgh Academy and Eton, he joined the Imperial Yeomanry, serving in South Africa in 1901/02 and being awarded the Queen's South Africa Medal, with five clasps. On his return he was comissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant with the 4th Battalion, HLI.
Lieutenant James Arthur Chetwynd Inglis (known as Laddie) proceeded to France to served with the 4th Battalion, Highland Light Infantry, attached to 1st Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders. He was killed in action on the 9th May 1915 whilst leading his men against the German Trenches near Neuve Chapelle on the Western Front.
Click HERE for a link to the IWM website, which has a picture of James, and an unusually detailed account of the actions surrounding his death.
This 1828 Pattern HLI Officers Broadsword's hilt fitted with Shagreen grip, bound with silver twistwire. This is mostly complete, with areas of loss towards the pommel and ferrule, and along the joint seam. The ferrule itself is absent. The heavy pommel with cruciform design, secured with an inset with nut, a design feature I don't recall seeing before. The field service crossguard hilt, with ball finials and distictive langets particular to the Highland Light Infantry. Pommel and crossguard to a plum colour, light rust and old pitting, but generally very good.
No movement in th hilt, or between the blade and hilt.
The sword has a 32.5 inch double-edged blade and 1.25 inch wide twin fullered ricasso etched "Henry Wilkinson Pall Mall, London". with Prince of Wales feathers and "By Appointment" to one ricasso, and with thier proof slug to the other. Both these features obscured by the tapered langets.
The Wilkinson proof number is stamped to the blades spine. This shows sale to JA.S. Inglis in May of 1867, being decribed as "Cross Hilt 71st". A digital copy of which will accompany the sword.
The rest of the blade remains plain, with central twin fullers, showing signs of having been professionally service sharpened. Looking closely, I don't think it ever bore any engaving originally, and seems to have been made this way.
However, above the proof are the initials "J.I" followed by a scrolled banner containing the latin "Invictus Maneo" roughly translated as "I Remain Unconquered". Below this the Inglis family crest of a Demi-Lion Rampant holding in his dexter paw a branch of Laurel. Below this the initials "J.A.C.I."
Therefore it would seem that James followed his father into the HLI, and had his fathers sword engraved with his fathers initials, the family crest, and his own initials. As his father died before he was born, this would have been a fitting way to honour his father.
The blade has been service sharpened, some old light pitting, rust and edge nicks, but generally good, bright, and would respond well to a gentle clean.
Housed in a brown leather field service scabbard. This is an original scabbard but likely not to this sword. It is in poor condition, the throat has been removed, and the drag with its distinctive ball finial is now absent, although one can see where it once was. The bottom of the blade now protrudes the bottom of the scabbard. The stitching has parted down the main seam, and the leather is split and torn down the other.
It still displays well, and could certainly be cosmetically improved, if desired.
Overall a good and completely untouched example, with excellent history, which even with its flaws remains a highly desirable sword. With some careful restoration it would doubtless prove a wise investment.
Strictly over 18's only. Photo ID will be required before this item can be dispatched.
