Wilkinson Infantry Officers Scots Guard Sword – Attributed to Lt Colonel Henry Walther Trefusis, with Wilkinson Archive Letter – c.1885
A rare and historically significant Wilkinson Infantry Officer’s Sword, attributed to Lieutenant Colonel Henry Walther Trefusis of the Scots Guards, featuring his engraved initials “H.W.T.” on the blade. This exceptional piece is accompanied by a Wilkinson Sword Company archive letter confirming the sword’s original purchase in 1885 by his uncle, Lt Colonel the Honourable G. Windsor-Clive, making it a remarkable heirloom of military and aristocratic heritage.
Key Features:
Manufacturer: Wilkinson Sword Company, London
Date of Manufacture: 1885
Regiment: Scots Guards
Attributed Officer: Lt Colonel Henry Walther Trefusis
Provenance: Purchased by Lt Col Hon. G. Windsor-Clive; passed to nephew H.W. Trefusis
Blade Inscription: Engraved with initials “H.W.T.”
Scabbard: Original leather-wrapped steel service scabbard
Condition: Very Good to Very Good+ overall
Includes: Original Wilkinson Company archive letter copy (confirming order and provenance)
Historical Background:
Henry Walther Trefusis served with distinction in the Scots Guards, achieving the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. His career is intertwined with both military valor and civic duty—most notably serving as the High Sheriff of Cornwall in 1923.
The sword is more than a ceremonial weapon; it is a symbol of service through pivotal periods in British military history. Trefusis had extensive involvement in the Second Boer War, and this sword is likely to have accompanied him during active service or formal regimental duties during this critical chapter of the British Empire.
Design & Detailing:
This regulation 1845 pattern Infantry Officer’s sword features a single-edged, fullered blade finely etched with traditional scrollwork and regimental motifs, along with the clearly visible “H.W.T.” initials. The hilt bears a pierced steel Gothic guard incorporating the royal cypher, paired with a wire-bound sharkskin grip.
The accompanying leather field scabbard, typical of service swords intended for campaign use, shows expected age-appropriate wear while remaining structurally sound—adding to the authenticity and character of this piece.
A Collectible with Distinction:
This sword not only reflects the precision and craftsmanship of Wilkinson, Britain’s premier military outfitter, but also carries the provenance of an officer from a prestigious Guards regiment, with connections to both aristocracy and military service. The inclusion of the Wilkinson archive documentation elevates it further as a certified and traceable historical artifact.
An outstanding opportunity for collectors of British military swords, Boer War memorabilia, or Wilkinson Sword enthusiasts, this piece combines historical depth, regimental prestige, and provenance, rarely found in a single offering.
Summary:
Blade: Wilkinson-etched with officer’s initials “H.W.T.”
Hilt: Steel Gothic guard with VR cypher; sharkskin grip
Scabbard: Leather-wrapped field service scabbard
Historical Ties: Scots Guards, Boer War, High Sheriff of Cornwall
Documentation: Copy of original 1885 Wilkinson purchase record
Wilkinson Scots Guard Officers Sword with Provenance
$2,995
1 in stock
Description
Wilkinson Infantry Officers Scots Guard Sword – Attributed to Lt Colonel Henry Walther Trefusis, with Wilkinson Archive Letter – c.1885
A rare and historically significant Wilkinson Infantry Officer’s Sword, attributed to Lieutenant Colonel Henry Walther Trefusis of the Scots Guards, featuring his engraved initials “H.W.T.” on the blade. This exceptional piece is accompanied by a Wilkinson Sword Company archive letter confirming the sword’s original purchase in 1885 by his uncle, Lt Colonel the Honourable G. Windsor-Clive, making it a remarkable heirloom of military and aristocratic heritage.
Key Features:
Historical Background:
Henry Walther Trefusis served with distinction in the Scots Guards, achieving the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. His career is intertwined with both military valor and civic duty—most notably serving as the High Sheriff of Cornwall in 1923.
The sword is more than a ceremonial weapon; it is a symbol of service through pivotal periods in British military history. Trefusis had extensive involvement in the Second Boer War, and this sword is likely to have accompanied him during active service or formal regimental duties during this critical chapter of the British Empire.
Design & Detailing:
This regulation 1845 pattern Infantry Officer’s sword features a single-edged, fullered blade finely etched with traditional scrollwork and regimental motifs, along with the clearly visible “H.W.T.” initials. The hilt bears a pierced steel Gothic guard incorporating the royal cypher, paired with a wire-bound sharkskin grip.
The accompanying leather field scabbard, typical of service swords intended for campaign use, shows expected age-appropriate wear while remaining structurally sound—adding to the authenticity and character of this piece.
A Collectible with Distinction:
This sword not only reflects the precision and craftsmanship of Wilkinson, Britain’s premier military outfitter, but also carries the provenance of an officer from a prestigious Guards regiment, with connections to both aristocracy and military service. The inclusion of the Wilkinson archive documentation elevates it further as a certified and traceable historical artifact.
An outstanding opportunity for collectors of British military swords, Boer War memorabilia, or Wilkinson Sword enthusiasts, this piece combines historical depth, regimental prestige, and provenance, rarely found in a single offering.
Summary:
E118
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