P1845/54 British Infantry General's / Staff Officer’s Picquet Sword For Sale

Victorian Wilkinson 1845/54 Pattern British Infantry General's / Staff Officer’s Picquet Weight ("levee") Sword with owner's initials.

Very high quality Victorian British Infantry Officer's Picquet Weight (blade slightly thinner and therefore sword slightly lighter than regular field service sword) Sword with owner's initials "CJB" and other fine etching; Wilkinson serial number on spine 18903 dates this sword to 1873. The Wilkinson ledger confirms this sword was sold on the 22nd August 1873 to a "C. J. Boyle", who I believe to be a Charles John Boyle. I believe this was a replacement for an earlier full weight sword. Ensign (2nd Lieutenant) C J Boyle was promoted to Lieutenant in the 52nd Foot on the 9th February, 1870. At some stage he was promoted to Captain (I suspect in 1873; hence the sword purchase in that year), then Capt Boyle served with the Commissariat in the Zulu war of 1879, and was Senior Commissariat Officer at Pinetown, Natal, from July to December 1879 (awarded medal). Charles John Boyle then went on to be Adjutant and Captain of the Oxford Light Infantry in 1882.

The brass scabbard has one fold dent in it, the blade has a low number of small stable black rust patches here and there, but overall this sword is in very good condition. The fishskin is immaculate for the age and the ring bindings are intact and tight, as is the 82 cm blade in the hilt; no movement or looseness anywhere. I would accept £500 for this sword. Further pictures available upon request. My item reference number is 151 / Box26-1m