A Museum-Grade Relic of British Military Craftsmanship and Siamese Royal History

This exceptional British 1831 Pattern General Officers Mameluke Sword is not only a beautifully preserved military artifact—it also carries a direct and documented link to one of the most influential political figures in 19th-century Southeast Asia: Somdet Chao Phraya Si Suriyawongse, Regent of Siam.

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Historical Provenance: A Gift of Empire and Influence

In 1866, this Mameluke sword was sold by the prestigious Wilkinson Sword Company—the foremost sword maker to the British Empire—to Somdet Chao Phraya Si Suriyawongse, a powerful nobleman and statesman in the royal court of Siam (modern-day Thailand). A copy of the original Wilkinson Ledger sheet is included, confirming the recipient and date of sale.

Somdet Si Suriyawongse (1808–1883), born Chuang Bunnag, was a member of the powerful Bunnag family and rose to become Chancellor and then Regent of Siam during a crucial transitional period. He served as Regent from 1868 to 1873 following the death of King Mongkut (Rama IV), overseeing the kingdom during the minority of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V). During his regency, Somdet Si Suriyawongse played a central role in stabilizing the government, promoting administrative reforms, and preserving Siam’s independence amid growing European colonial interests in Southeast Asia.

The fact that a British General Officer’s sword was purchased for—or perhaps presented to—Somdet Si Suriyawongse speaks volumes about his high international standing and diplomatic relations with Western powers during an era when few Asian leaders could maintain sovereignty in the face of colonial expansion.

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Sword Details: British 1831 Pattern Mameluke

• Model: British 1831 Pattern General Officers Mameluke Sword
• Condition: Overall Very Good+ with original patina and wear appropriate to age
• Blade: Elegant curved blade, a hallmark of the Mameluke style
• Grip: Classic ivory grips with finely detailed gilt brass crossguard and fittings
• Scabbard: Includes the original and correct brass scabbard
• Markings: Wilkinson proof mark present and serial number 14398; accompanied by  a copy of The Wilkinson sales ledger.

This style of sword was reserved for high-ranking officers and was deeply associated with British ceremonial dress, symbolizing honor and command. Its sale to a foreign regent illustrates the cross-cultural exchange and respect between Siam and the British Empire during this period.

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Additional Historical Materials Included

• Copy of original Wilkinson Ledger Page (verifying 1866 sale to Siamese Regent)
• Brief biography and printed history of Somdet Si Suriyawongse
• Selection of commemorative Thai postage stamps featuring the Regent
• Display and storage materials available upon request

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Why This Sword Matters

This artifact is not merely a fine antique sword—it is a physical link to a pivotal era in Southeast Asian history, when the Kingdom of Siam stood as one of the few nations in the region to successfully resist colonization. Somdet Si Suriyawongse’s role in guiding the country during this time cannot be overstated. He helped lay the groundwork for the modern Thai state under King Chulalongkorn, who later introduced sweeping reforms in education, infrastructure, and governance.

For historians, collectors of antique arms, or those with an interest in Thai royal history or colonial-era diplomacy, this sword represents a singular opportunity to acquire a piece of provenanced royal history—tied not only to British military tradition but to the legacy of a nation that charted its own independent course through one of the most turbulent centuries in Asian history.