British Light Cavalry Officer's Sword, 1822 Pattern

This sword was acquired from an antique weapons dealer in Sweden by the end of April, 2000. At first, I believed that the sword was of the Royal Artillery Officer's pattern from the 1890's, but further research indicated that it was something different. The reason for the mistaken identity was that the Royal Artillery adopted the same pattern as the Light Cavalry. The sign that indicated that it's a Light Cavalry sword is that the pommel is chequered, where the Royal Artillery usually had stepped pommels and a visible tang rivet. This difference can be seen from the 1850's onwards on the swords from Wilkinson, while other manufacturers kept the stepped pommels for both service branches. Another indication is the fact that the Royal Artillery swords often had artillery symbols etched on the blade.

The 1822 pattern, with its three bar hilt, was replaced in 1896 by the Heavy Cavalry sword (also of 1822 pattern). This model had a three-quarter basket-hilt with scrollwork and a honeysuckle pattern. In some units, the Light Cavalry sword was used for many years after the new model was introduced. In 1908, a new sword was introduced for the troopers, and in 1912 the officers' pattern. The First World War spelled the demise of the traditional cavalry, and there was no need for any new sword patterns. The Royal Artillery, which adopted the 1822 pattern in the 1850's, is still using the sword at parades.

Statistics:

Overall length 109,7 cm (43.19")
Blade length 88,2 cm (34.7")
Blade width 2,8 cm (1.1")
Point of Balance 15,5 cm (6.1") from the hilt
Centre of percussion 54,5 cm (21.5") from the hilt
Weight c. 0,9 kilo (c. 2 lbs.)

The grip is covered with fish-skin and wound with twisted wire. The bars and pommel are made from steel. The blade is etched with the Royal cypher of Queen Victoria (a crowned "VR"). Wilkinson's proof mark is found on the ricasso. It consists of two interlocking triangles (similar to a Star of David, but symbolising strength), surrounding a depression where a yellow metal disc with "HW" (Henry Wilkinson) is found. An interesting feature is the fact that centre of percussion is marked with an C >>>-----------> * P The blade has a distinctive fuller on both sides, and is single-edged up to c. 8" from the point, where it changes into a double-edged diamond cross-section.

The back of the blade with the serial number
The three-bar hilt. Note the Wilkinson proof-mark on the ricasso
The inside of the hilt. Wilkinson's name is etched on the ricasso

The scabbard is of the Sam Browne pattern, introduced in 1899 and intended for carry together with the field uniform. The sword knot is of pleated leather, also for use in the field. For parades, a steel scabbard and gold sword knot were used.

The sword can with fair certainty be dated to the last quarter of the 19th century. To begin with, the blade is etched with Queen Victoria's Royal cypher, which places the date of manufacture between the 1837-1901. The grip and blade are almost straight, which was a change introduced in the 1870's (as opposed to the more curved style before that). Furthermore, the blade is etched with "HENRY WILKINSON PALL MALL LONDON", which is another indication of which years are in question. Wilkinson moved his shop from Ludgate to Pall Mall around 1849, and the Company changed its name to "The Wilkinson Sword Company Ltd" in 1887.

Major Frank Lewis de Sales La Terrière, during the First World War

This was as far as I could get with the identification with the sources at hand, but there was more to come. On the spine of the blade, there's a serial number (26552) stamped, which with all probability had been registered with Wilkinson. Thanks to a request made by Rob Miller to Wilkinson, I was able to learn who had bought the sword. It turned out that it had been tested and passed on May 26, 1885, and sold as a "medium light cavalry sword" to a F.L. La Terrière, Esq. at the 15th (The King's) Hussars Regiment. Now I had a name to search for. A search on the Internet yielded a site, where I found a Captain Frank Lewis de Sales La Terrière, born in 1863. He was the son of William James Bulmer de Sales La Terrière and Elizabeth Sarah Gurney. It appears likely he bought the sword in 1885, which indicates that he had become a commissioned officer that year, probably in the 15th (The King's) Hussars Regiment. In 1895, he married Jeanie Bunten, daughter of James Clark Bunten.

During the First World War, he served with the rank of Major on the regimental staff, and the 15th Hussars participated in many of the battles on the Western Front. On their arrival in France August 18, 1914, the regiment was split, and the three squadrons ended up in three separate divisions. On April 14, 1915, the regiment was reformed and posted to the 9th Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division. Considering the nature of the war, it wasn't unusual that the troopers fought dismounted. 156 were killed during the war. The 15th Hussars Regiment served until the end of the War, participating in the battles of Mons, Ypres, Somme, Arras, Cambrai, Amiens, the Hindenburg Line, and other battles. After the war, the regiment was stationed in Ireland, and in 1922 it was amalgamated with the 19th Hussars, forming the 15th/19th The King's Hussars. The new regiment was transferred to Egypt in 1924, and was like most cavalry units motorised in the years between the World Wars. Frank Lewis de Sales La Terrière retired with the rank of Captain (it was common for officers to hold a higher rank during the war than in peacetime). He passed away in 1933.

During my search on the Internet, I also found Major de Sales La Terrières grandson, whom I contacted. He could supply me with further facts about his grandfather, and also a picture of him. Thus was an initially anonymous sword put in its context. This is what makes collecting so dear to me.

Thanks to Peter Busch, Thomas McDonald, Paul Kilmartin, Rob Miller and Mark McMorrow for their help in correctly identifying the sword. Thanks also to Joe Sweeney and Simon Fielding for the information on the 15th (The King's) Hussars Regiment. Finally, I would like to extend heartfelt thanks to Captain Ian de Sales La Terrière for the information on his grandfather, as well as the photograph.