A FINE SILVER-MOUNTED PRESENTATION RIFLE BRIGADE VOLUNTEER OFFICER'S SWORD OF 1845 PATTERN

A FINE SILVER-MOUNTED PRESENTATION RIFLE BRIGADE VOLUNTEER OFFICER'S SWORD OF 1845 PATTERN
BY HENRY WILKINSON, PALL MALL, LONDON, LONDON SILVER HALLMARKS FOR 1863
With single-edged flat-sided blade with false back-edge towards the tip and numbered 12722 for 1863, the blade finely etched with scrollwork, 'VR' cypher, '1ST NORTHAMPTON ALTHORP RIFLE VOLUNTEERS' above a strung bugle, the Spencer coat of arms, the monogram 'S' beneath an Earl's coronet, the presentation inscription 'PRESENTED BY THE MEMBERS OF THE 1ST NORTHAMPTON ALTHORP VOLUNTEERS TO MAJOR EARL SPENCER IN GRATEFUL ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF HIS SERVICE TO THE COMPANY. 1864', and along the back-edge the Spencer family motto 'DIEU DEFEND LE DROIT', silver 'Gothic' hilt with pierced crowned strung bugle, the inside of the guard finely engraved with scrollwork, the grip-strap engraved with further scrollwork and an oval escutcheon involving the monogram 'S' beneath an Earl's coronet, wire-bound shagreen-covered grip, leather sword-knot, in original silver scabbard with two suspension rings and original chamois leather outer, silver maker's mark 'RB'
32¼ in. (82 cm.) blade