Charge of the Light Brigade, Balaklava, 1854

Jim McDougall · 19th January 2021, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bryce

G'day Guys,
Here is the sword of Lt Edward Lavallin Puxley who served with the 4th Light Dragoons in Crimea. He arrived in Crimea after the charge. It is not maker marked, but the proved poincon is the same one I have seen on some Reeves marked swords. It is pictured above a Wilkinson of the same vintage for comparison.

Cheers,
Bryce

This is great Bryce!!! These sabers are always intriguing and exciting to me, probably that the three bar hilt was such an attractive design, and that it was the next light cavalry design after the 1796, the first 'official pattern'.
The design was copied in the US as the M1833 dragoon saber by Ames.

I have always understood that Wilkinson did not start using that
proof' poincon with the 'Star of Solomon' surround until post 1854 when I believe he was only beginning with officers swords. His production of other ranks swords followed.

This provenanced example of 4th dragoon officer in Crimea reveals possibly the earliest use of this feature? as the war ended in 1856.

Bryce · 19th January 2021, 08:36 PM

G'day Jim,
I think Wilkinson began using the proof disc from around 1845 when his "new" blade design was introduced. This period isn't my main area of focus, so someone more knowledgeable may be able to confirm this. Certainly they were used well before 1854. 1854 was when Wilkinson began numbering his swords. Here is the proof disc on Puxley's sword. The Wilkinson example above is pre numbering.
Cheers,
Bryce

Will M · 19th January 2021, 11:46 PM

I have a Wilkinson sword circ 1846-47 with an "HW" disc. David Fitzgerald Longworth led the 31st Regt. of Foot at the Battle of Sobraon.
All field officers were either dead or wounded so the duty fell onto Capt. Longworth. He was promoted Major for gallantry after the battle.
This Wilkinson sword would have been most likely purchased with the field officers brass scabbard after the Battle of Sobraon for his promotion to Major. His will mentions two swords, the other unknown and likely the sword he carried during the battle.

19th January 2021, 08:36 PM	#2
Bryce Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: North Queensland, Australia Posts: 174	G'day Jim, I think Wilkinson began using the proof disc from around 1845 when his "new" blade design was introduced. This period isn't my main area of focus, so someone more knowledgeable may be able to confirm this. Certainly they were used well before 1854. 1854 was when Wilkinson began numbering his swords. Here is the proof disc on Puxley's sword. The Wilkinson example above is pre numbering. Cheers, Bryce Attached Images

19th January 2021, 11:46 PM	#3
Will M Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: In the wee woods north of Napanee Ontario Posts: 390	I have a Wilkinson sword circ 1846-47 with an "HW" disc. David Fitzgerald Longworth led the 31st Regt. of Foot at the Battle of Sobraon. All field officers were either dead or wounded so the duty fell onto Capt. Longworth. He was promoted Major for gallantry after the battle. This Wilkinson sword would have been most likely purchased with the field officers brass scabbard after the Battle of Sobraon for his promotion to Major. His will mentions two swords, the other unknown and likely the sword he carried during the battle. Attached Images