Description
Physical description
scabbard
whole description : CONTROL
pommel form : broad fluted dome in plated steel with decoratively pierced baluster-like pommel nut. Note the plated steel disc at pommel base, where it meets grip. The pommel nut may be unscrewed allowing the pommel, grip and guard to be removed and be replaced, as necessary, by the interchangeable basket
hilt grip form : wood covered with fishskin and bound with copper wire
crossguard form : straight cross-bar guard with ball quillon finials on short bases of decorative moulding. Guard tapers from grip to finial, having an angled midpoint above centre of grip. The straight bar guard in combination with grip and pommel gives the hilt an archaic cruciform appearance
blade form : straight, double-edged for last 105 mm, tapering to narrow spear point, deeply fullered. Fullers start approximately 37 mm from guard and extend for only 355 mm
History note
Identification (and Description): handwritten display caption associated with this weapon reads, "Highland Officer. Official War Emergency Issue, 1914-1918. Remainder of stock issued in 1924 to Staff Sergeants. As was usual the cross-hilt can be interchanged for the basket hilt by unscrewing the pommel. 14296"
History note
Association: Robson, see Documentation, describes the cross-bar guard present on WEA/1046 as the appropriate pattern for use by the Seaforth Highlanders, Cameron Highlanders and Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
History note
Description - pommel nut: although Robson states that a "peculiarity of the cross-bar hilt was that there was no provision for attaching a sword knot" it is tempting to see in the pierced pommel nut the possibility of an exception to observed practice
Inscription
inscription ; stamped crossguard (facing grip) (IWM acquisition number) 14296
Inscription
inscription ; stamped crossguard (facing blade, near finial) (in three lines, first line arcuate) FENTON BROS LTD SHEFFIELD
Inscription
mark ; stamped blade (left ricasso) broad arrow//crowned 11 over E//crowned T over E//X//'15//'23 (government property mark, inspection marks, bend test and issue dates)
Inscription
inscription ; painted (red) blade (left ricasso) 14296.
Inscription
inscription ; etched blade (right ricasso) maker's trademark - crowned Garter embellished with laurel wreath. Text on Garter - "FENTON BROTHERS LTD. SHEFFIELD". Garter encloses shield inscribed "CUTLERS ESTD 1850". Two lines of text below trademark - "SILVERSMITHS TO H.M. GOVERNMENT"