A Wilkinson Infantry Officers sword with Attribution.
An Infantry Officer’s sword by Henry Wilkinson number 14798 made in 1866. The slightly curved and fullered 1845 type sabre blade of 32 and a half inches in length is etched with Victorian St Edward’s crown, VR cypher and decorative panels, with Wilkinson makers details on the ricasso and a Wilkinson proof mark. The original infantry pattern hilt has been replaced by a steel Rifles officer’s hilt displaying the slung bugle below a Victorian crown. The sword comes in its original steel scabbard, with two loose rings, which is in good condition.
This is possibly the Sword of Colonel, Chief Paymaster, James Archibald Robert Bell, his regiment amalgamated with another and became a Rifles regiment in 1881 which explains why the sword is an 1845 pattern infantry sword with a later Rifles hilt, as detailed below.
The blade was proved on 18th Dec 1866, mounted on 11th January 1867 and embossed on the 15th February 1867 and was sold to J. Bell Esq. This was perhaps James Archibald Robert Bell who became an Ensign in the 4th West India Regiment on 1st Feb 1867, this regiment was disbanded in 1869 and Bell joined the 83rd Foot (County of Dublin). He was promoted Lieutenant 1st Nov 1872 and attended Hythe school of Musketry in around 1874-6, passed with 1st Class certificate and was promoted Captain 23 April 1879. In 1881 the 83rd foot amalgamated with the 86th to form the Royal Irish Rifles. From 12th April Bell was paymaster, Hon Captain, to the 61st Foot (Gloucestershire). His parent regiment was still considered to be the RIR and this explains why the sword has been fitted with a Rifles hilt at a later date. In 1886 he was a paymaster Hon Major and in1894 was Staff Paymaster and Hon Major. By 1899 he was stationed in Jamaica, (his army commission was still a Captain in the Royal Irish Rifles.) In March 1899 he was promoted Lt Colonel and Staff Paymaster and in 1903 Colonel and Chief Paymaster. He was serving in that rank in the Scottish District in about 1904 to around 1908 and probably retired around 1908.
£450.00
1 in stock
