NAM.1955-04-73-1

Officer’s sword, 1856 (c); similar to Pattern 1821 Trooper’s sword; cutting blade specially requested by the owner rather then the usual cut-and-thrust; three bar guard with a leather grip; made by Garden and Son. Owned by Lt (later Field Marshal) Frederick Sleigh Roberts; Roberts was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions after the battle of Cawnpore when he rescued the regimental standard and killed two of the enemy, 2 Jan 1858; this is possibly the sword he used on this occasion. The other ranks's sword had a much more substantial hilt than the 1821 officers pattern, and a leather grip which was preferred to fishkin. Roberts went further and instructed Garden, its maker, to provide a cutting blade rather than the compromise cut and thrust blade of the standard pattern. Carried by Lord Roberts during the Indian Mutiny, Abyssinian and Afghan campaigns, nd. Associated with the Indian Mutiny (1857-1859), Abyssinia (1867-1868) and the 2nd Afghan War (1878-1880).

2nd Afghan War (1878-1880), Abyssinia (1867-1868)