1821 P Boer War Artillery Sword (Wilkinson Patent Solid Hilt) For Sale

Good condition Wilkinson Patent Solid Hilt 1821 P British Royal Artillery officer's sword made in 1900 during the Boer War and which saw active service in Mesopotamia during WW1.

Note the above grip where you can see the tang of the blade on the underside; this is the Wilkinson Patent Solid Hilt which gave the sword much more strength and was valued by front line officers even though it did cost considerably more. Confirmed by the special Henry Wilkinson logo for Patent hilted versions, these swords are very rare.

Bearing the serial number 38196 to the spine, this 1821 P Royal Artillery officer's sword was made in 1900 for newly commissioned 2nd Lieutenant Cyril Walmesley Burdon of the Royal Field Artillery. Initially Walmesley served with the battery at Bristol, then Belturbet, then Farnham. He made Lieutenant on the 18th August 1903 and Captain on the 30th August 1911. In 1914 just before the outset of WW1 he was given a brief appointment in India only to return to England where initially he was a Commander of Cadets at the Royal Military Academy.

On the 23rd December 1914 he was promoted to Major and commanded the 5th Hampshire Battery which saw bloody active service in Mesopotamia; I know the 1/5th Battery at least were over-run and their men either killed or captured. I suspect Major Burdon was seriously injured as I could not find any trace of his name on the army lists again until 1919; as his sword survived, I assume he was not personally captured.

Cyril Walmesley Burdon died at his home "Somerfield" in Golf Links Road, Ferndown, Dorset, as a Lieutenant-Colonel (Retired) with D.S.O. on 30th January, 1951. I believe his son's name to be / have been Oliver Baldwin Peareth Burdon. Clearly a lot more research is possible and could make this a very rewarding purchase indeed.

The full length 35 inch blade has some pitting and patina but not too much; it is of course firm in the hilt. The three bar guard has rust patina, but is in good order otherwise. The grip is in very good order. The leather scabbard has clearly seen some active service, you can tell this from the worn chape; it is compromised in a couple of places but sound overall and I have nourished the leather to protect it. The I would be prepared to accept £550 for this sword. Full sized pictures available upon request. Item reference number 90 / Box115-1.18m