Scarce Victorian 1857 Pattern Royal Engineers Officers Sword by Hawkes Moseley & Co. London

Here on offer is a great example of a scarce Victorian 1857 Pattern Royal Engineers Officers sword made by Hawkes Moseley & Co, with its original brass scabbard.

The hilt on this sword has a wide basket made of gilt brass that is decorated with cut out scrollwork depicting acanthus leaves, with finely chased detailing. The basket is slightly curved on the sides.

The tiered brass pommel is decorated at top with crosshatching.

The back of the grip has a brass spine with crosshatched decoration at bottom.

The grip itself is wrapped in grey sharkskin with seven courses of twisted copper wire outlined on each side by a thinner gauge twisted wire. All the wire is still in place and secure.

The base of the grip is covered with a brass ferrule.

Most of the gilt has been worn off and the brass shows a nice aged patina to its finish.

The slightly curved blade surface is clean and now has an aged greyed to the finish with very minor surface pitting visible on both sides

The etching on the obverse side begins with maker’s details on the ricasso that reads:


HAWKES MOSELEY & Co.

LONDON

MANUFACTURERS

TO THE QUEEN




The etching then continues with a floral and scroll decoration.
At center there are opposing angel wings pierced by a double pointed spear with a twisted shaft. This is surrounded by the words:


ROYAL ENGINEERS


The top of the ricasso spine is stamped with the word:


PROVED



The front of the blade is decorated with the same floral and scrollwork as found on the opposite side.

At center are the script initials “VR” surmounted by a Queen’s crown in a laurel wreath and topped by a sunburst.

The etching is still slightly raised and is very detailed.

The thick brown leather washer is present at the base of the blade.

The service issue brass scabbard has several small dings towards the tip on both sides and a larger dent on the reverse in the section between the rings.
Both mounts and rings are present and the top mount has a brass bar attached to its reverse side in addition to the ring.

This genuine sword has obviously seen real service but is a fine example of what is now a scarce sword and this one is by an unusual maker.

The overall length of the drawn sword is 37.75” (96cm) long.

The blade itself measures 32.25” (82cm) long and is 1.1” (2.7cm) wide at the ricasso.

It weighs a heavy 1.4Kg.

Please see my pictures for the details of the condition, which complement this description.

Please see my TERMS OF BUSINESS regarding Deliver Charges and Insurance regarding additional insurance cover, should you require it, BEFORE the item is dispatched.

The responsibility lies with the customer to check with your Customs restrictions that this item can be imported into your country.

Code: 50523