A Very Good 1889 Pattern British Army Staff Sergeants Sword for 'The Buffs'

This rarely encountered 1889 pattern infantry Staff Sergeant’s sword was made in February 1896 by Robert Mole .

The straight, single-edged blade has a wide three-quarter length fuller on each side below a thick, flat spine and terminates in a spear point. The spine is thick at the shoulder. These P1889 swords are robust fighting swords and were the primary weapon of infantry Staff Sergeants. The etched panel blade is double-edged for the last 250mm and is in excellent condition.

The forte of the blade is stamped with the War Department WD and arrow, a Mole inspection stamp and a bend test stamp.

The gothic steel hilt is in excellent condition and very robust. The hilt bears Queen Victoria’s royal cypher. The quillon is marked to the East Kent regiment 'The Buffs' with the date, May 1896 The shagreen grip and twisted wire are in great condition and the blade is firm in the hilt.

The sword is complete with its matching steel scabbard with two fixed suspension rings. The scabbard throat bears the regimental stamp as well. The side of the throat bears a date and WD and arrow stamps. Lower down, between the suspension rings the edge of the scabbard is stamped with the WD and arrow of the War Department and an inspection stamp. The scabbard is in very good condition there is mild surface finish loss and speckling on both sides The sword sheathes and draws smoothly and is held firmly within the scabbard.
This is an excellent and regimentaly marked to the East Kent Regiment [The Buffs] example of a rare Victorian, Boer War period Staff Sergeant’s sword. These are not often seen. The Buffs saw action during the Second Boer War with Captain Naunton Henry Vertue of the 2nd Battalion serving as brigade major to the 11th Infantry Brigade under Major General Edward Woodgate at the Battle of Spion Kop where he was mortally wounded in January 1900

Code: 23244