1897 PATTERN INFANTRY OFFICERS SWORD (WILKINSON)

1897 PATTERN INFANTRY OFFICERS
SWORD (WILKINSON)
Deep etched blade with (ELIZABETH 11 CYPHER) Leather covered field service scabbard. Sword number 81024, letter from Wilkinson Sword, confirms sword belonged to R.S.M. R.B. RAFFERTY (ROYAL INNIS FUSILIERS). His name and rank are also inscribed on inside of nickel plated bowl. Letter and other paper work come with sword. Good Condition.

1897 PATTERN INFANTRY OFFICERS
The 1897 Pattern Infantry Officers' Sword is a straight-bladed, three-quarter basket hilted sword that has been the regulation sword for officers of the line infantry of the British Army from 1897 to the present day.

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History

The curved, Gothic-hilted 1821 and 1845 Pattern infantry swords, although elegant, had been widely criticized as fighting swords. In common with British cavalry swords of the era, they were compromised cut-and-thrust swords and as a consequence were not ideal for either task.
In 1892, a new, straight, blade was introduced, mated to the existing Gothic hilt. Presaging the introduction of the 1908 Pattern cavalry sword, the curved blade was abandoned in favour of a straight, stiff blade optimized for the thrust. Credit for the design has been given to Colonel Fox, Chief Inspector of Physical Training at the Board of Education, who was also influential in the design of the 1908 Pattern.
In 1895, a new pierced steel hilt pattern was introduced, replacing the earlier Gothic hilt with a three-quarter basket hilt. The new Pattern was short-lived due to the edge of the guard fraying uniforms, and in 1897 the final pattern was settled on, being simply the 1895 Pattern with the inner edge of the guard turned down, and the piercings becoming smaller. The 1897 Pattern has remained unchanged to the present day.
By the time of its introduction, the sword was of limited use on the battlefield against rapid-firing rifles, machine guns and long-range artillery. However, the new sword was regarded, when needed, as a very effective fighting weapon. Reports from Sudan, where it was used in close-quarters fighting during the Mahdist uprising, were positive.
Bernard Montgomery advanced with his 1897 Pattern drawn during a counteroffensive in the First World War. The actual sword he carried is exhibited in the Imperial War Museum, London.

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