GARDEN & SON - ROBt. S. GARDEN

[Jim McDougall]

Originally Posted by Will M

Hi Jim, my "guess" that the numbers are just a control number for Garden.
I have a infantry sword with brass scabbard marked Garden with number 405 on the blade spine. Blade is etched with the officers initials RH but I've not found the name. It is a patent hilt and has Garden name etch with 29 Picedilly and Garden stamped on the blade spine.
The VR in the guard appears to be shot out. Possibly an interesting story behind it?

Thanks Will! This is great and I think your idea of it being some sort of control number makes sense.
It seems odd that they would go to the trouble of stamping these numbers into the blade spine. Was it record keeping? and they kept records of swords sold to officers and clients?
While my example seems to be a troopers, rather than officers sword, as it is completely austere, no decoration or proof plug etc. perhaps it was that officers bought regular troopers swords as 'fighting' swords. It would seem they might defer taking their expensive and fancier dress and other swords on campaign .........though I think obviously there were exceptions.
Officers had carte blanch on most things, so it would seem possible.

Right you are on the shot out VR in the hilt! Definitely a story there!