March 15-17, 2022 Collectible Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/15/2022
Very nice example of an identified Pattern 1821 Royal Artillery sword. The sword is inscribed on the blade to "A.F. Townsend" who was an officer in the Special Reserves to Royal Field Artillery during World War I. Townsend was appointed as a Second Lieutenant on June 15, 1915 and served as an acting Captain while commanding a Trench Mortar Battalion from November 25, 1916-January 17, 1917. It appears as though he emigrated to Argentina after the war was over as he is listed as coming to Britain on a ship from Argentina in 1925 claiming Argentina as residence and arriving in Argentina at age 34 in October 1927 from Britain, saying born in Croydon. The sword features a single edged blade with a flat spine and single fuller on both sides. The blade is finely etched on each side with floral and Royal Artillery motifs. One side features winged lightning bolts and cannon, flanked by ornate scrollwork. The other side features the same scrollwork flanking the cypher of King George V. The blade is marked "HTH / Sheffield" for H.H. Taylor of Sheffield. The sword also features a steel 3 band hilt with knurled backstrap and rounded pommel with tang nut. The grip is wrapped with sharkskin with twisted wire binding. The sword is complete with its leather wrapped steel scabbard. CONDITION: The blade remains bright with light areas of spotting and pitting. Etchings remain crisp and nearly unmolested. The steel hilt retains its shine with its plating intact. Grip exhibits handling wear. The leather wrapped scabbard remains strong with intact stitching. There are visible creases in some areas, strap exhibits cracking. Overall very good. JLD
Paperwork
Service Information