1834 / 1874 P Victorian Household Cavalry 2nd Life Guards Sword (sold)

In good condition, an 1834/74 P household cavalry officer's sword which belonged to a famous officer of the 2nd Life Guards.

This sword was by repute and connection owned by then 2nd Lieutenant Arthur Edward Bruce O'Neill of the 2nd Life Guards who bought it in 1897 as he assumed his appointment with Queen Victoria's Household Cavalry. I bought this sword along with one other as a pair, from a fellow collector who could trace the path back of them both to an Irish Museum and before them, Arthur O'Neill.

The other sword in the pair is the cavalry sword Lieutenant then Captain Arthur Edward Bruce O'Neill carried in action against the Dutch Boers; O'Neill's Boer War British Cavalry Sabre. I would prefer to see these tow swords remain as a pair and would offer a reasonable discount off them both to ensure this.

Arthur O'Neill made Lieutenant in June 1898 and then went on to become an accomplished officer during much of the Boer War; he was present at the Relief of Kimberley, and at operations in the Orange Free State, at Paardeberg and in Cape Colony including the actions at Driefontein and Colesberg. He was promoted to captain and adjutant of the 2nd Life Guards plus awarded the QSA medal and 3 bars.

Arthur O'Neill was the son of 2nd Baron and Lady O'Neill of Shanes Castle in Antrim, Ireland. He went on to become the British Member of Parliament for Mid-Antrim in 1901 and then as an MP fought in WW1. Capt. The Hon. Arthur Edward Bruce O'Neill was gallantly killed in action on the 4th November 1914 on the Klein Zillebeke Ridge (Ypres). He was the first British Member of Parliament to die in the "Great War".

The awesome 36.5 inch blade (replated) is bright and firm in the hilt; marked to Hawkes and Co with the serial number 4721 on the spine, complete with VR Cypher, Royal Coat of Arms, the emblem of the 2nd Lifeguards and battle honours up to Tel-el-Kebir Egypt 1882. The hilt (also replated) a little pitted in places but in good general order. The fishskin grip worn through use but still good, the ring bindings (twisted grip wire) present and correct, the scabbard good but a little loose on the blade and the chape loose. Complete with original sword knot. Further / full sized images available upon request. Item reference number 276.