Excellent and well informed input Peter, as would be expected with your remarkable field experience in Oman, and I can see why this amazing sword piqued your interest. This is a fascinating example, and well presented by Magey with impressive research and background already set forward.
As already noted, there was a considerable network of cutlers and military outfitters in London that had evolved through the 19th century who often tailored officers weapons on the commissions placed. With Great Britain's profound colonial presence in various spheres, there were cases of some of these having outlet offices in locations in India, Egypt and in Arabia, where the British Protectorate was centered in Aden, if I understand correctly.
Wilkinson has been well known as having been most accommodating customers and clients with customized hilts and engraved blades, which in some cases were in other languages, though unusual. With the retailer/outfitter noted situated in London, it seems likely the present incarnation of the sword in entirety was also completed there.
The sword was apparently updated at some point with translation engraved by other than a sword outfitting location, so probably by a jeweler and for the owner at the time.
The hilt is of what is known as the 'Gothic' style, which was introduced actually in 1822( I believe) for infantry officers and of course in brass. The same pattern continued and was altered in 1845 (again if I recall) to add a folding inner guard portion. Magey has well researched this pattern evolution already, so mentions the intricacies of some of the nominal alterations in the style, which was superceded in 1897 by the sheet steel guard forms.
As noted, officers had a degree of latitude in their choice of weapons, especially those with long service who held to their traditions.
These 'gothic' style hilts were often made for other colonial interests by Wilkinson, with various emblems, cyphers and monograms as required for other countries and their militaries, so while unusual, not surprising to see a customized hilt made on request as seen here.
The overall character of the sword with these inscriptions in Arabic (but as noted apparently following Omani convention) suggests this sword may have been diplomatically oriented, and possibly of course related to the Aden based protectorate in Arabia. Naturally, the details of this situation are the somewhat perplexing conundrum of this outstanding sword, so I look forward to further research!
Thank you Magey for posting this, and Peter for your valuable input!!
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