Help with markings and research on Anglo-Indian Wilkinson sword!

Jim McDougall · 18th September 2020, 06:32 PM

This is of course the British colonial sword known as the "Paget Pattern' and these were supplied to the British Raj from about 1880s into 1900s.
The ISD represents India Stores Dept. .

These were supplied typically to various native cavalry regiments as requested, but these regiments chose the types of swords they preferred. Many were of the British M1853 cavalry swords, the M1821 and I have even seen tulwars of native form by MOLE, a supplier for Wilkinson.
I have one of these colonial sabers with this branched hilt by MOLE to the 21st cavalry.

The blades were of the M1786 light cavalry form despite the 1821 style hilt,
and these blades were favored by Indian forces. It is surprising that the M1796 type cavalry saber was still produced for India in the 1880s+
The 1821 Paget style swords were produced until 1918.

The arrow is a government acceptance mark but seems odd to be on a scabbard. Not sure what IMS would mean but could be medical I suppose.
Many industries for example railway companies etc had thier own security forces and used various types of swords.

LIGHT cleaning is key..............WD40 on metal, no need to take off any patina, just stabilize any active rust. The scabbard just use standard leather conditioner to moisten prevent cracking.

18th September 2020, 06:32 PM	#2
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,785	This is of course the British colonial sword known as the "Paget Pattern' and these were supplied to the British Raj from about 1880s into 1900s. The ISD represents India Stores Dept. . These were supplied typically to various native cavalry regiments as requested, but these regiments chose the types of swords they preferred. Many were of the British M1853 cavalry swords, the M1821 and I have even seen tulwars of native form by MOLE, a supplier for Wilkinson. I have one of these colonial sabers with this branched hilt by MOLE to the 21st cavalry. The blades were of the M1786 light cavalry form despite the 1821 style hilt, and these blades were favored by Indian forces. It is surprising that the M1796 type cavalry saber was still produced for India in the 1880s+ The 1821 Paget style swords were produced until 1918. The arrow is a government acceptance mark but seems odd to be on a scabbard. Not sure what IMS would mean but could be medical I suppose. Many industries for example railway companies etc had thier own security forces and used various types of swords. LIGHT cleaning is key..............WD40 on metal, no need to take off any patina, just stabilize any active rust. The scabbard just use standard leather conditioner to moisten prevent cracking.