Arms, Armour and Militaria

A Royal Engineer’s drivers sword c 1850, the curved 89cm fullered blade retaining most original finish, stamped ‘S&K’ and ‘L8’ (for Liege) at forte and with crowned Prussian ‘FW50’ struck on back edge, additionally struck within the fuller with opposed broad arrows, heavy steel guard with curved knuckle bow with outer bar joined by flat bar, ribbed wood grip covered with leather, with remains of leather finger loop, complete with its heavy steel scabbard with two hanging rings, again deeply struck with opposed broad-arrows, minor pitting and wear to guard and scabbard otherwise good condition £250-300

These swords appear to have been produced in the first instance by Schnitzer & Kirschbaum, of Solingen, for trial in the Prussian Guard Hussar Regiment c1849-50 but were later sold through the Liege market and purchased by the British Government, hence the viewing marks of the of the British Board of Ordnance inspectors stationed in Liege in the 1850’s and the later applied opposed broad arrows indicating sold out of service

See Robson, ‘Swords of the British Army’ for further details.