Military swords thru the ages.

Note: The Pattern date of a sword has nothing to do with the date of manufacture or use.

Most photos and text on this page courtesy of the AWM.

For definitions and description of terms used see bottom of page

Sub category index

Naval cutlass (copy). This is a private purchase cutlass, intended for use aboard merchant ships and privateers. Most likely manufactured for export in Solingen, Germany, this sword dates from the 1780's, to 1815 at the very latest. It's in the "Figure-8", or "Double Disk" pattern--so familiar to British and Colonial American seamen of the mid 18th, and early 19th centuries. While the fledgling U.S. Navy abandoned this pattern in 1808, the Royal Navy retained it well into the 1840's. This particular weapon was not made to the same standards of quality as the British weapon, or even the early American model 1797 cutlass. The steel guard is much thinner, the blade was poorly balanced, and it shows many, many forging flaws.

The blade is 24 in. (61 cm) long, curved, single edged, with an 8½ in. (21.5 cm) false edge. As is typical for cutlasses of this era, it is cut on each side with a crude, narrow, and shallow fuller, stopped at the ricasso, and extending for 15½ in. (38 cm). The blade is heavy, and crudely made, showing numerous inclusions, and forging and rolling flaws. The guard is jappaned steel, with a rudementry rolled quillion, and a ribbed, cast iron grip.


	Length: 900mm, A nice and plain, British infantry officers sword of the 1796 pattern. Bronze handle and guard with traces of former gilding. 100% Grip wire handle. Straight blade, with no decoration. Good quality, flexible blade. Sound and simple Napoleonic era officers sword.

British Pattern 1827 Rifle Officer's sword and scabbard. The hilt has a steel Pattern 1827 three bar half basket guard with a crown over a stringed bugle cartouche badge and a silver wire bound fish-skin grip.

The slightly curved Pattern 1845 blade has a single fuller to each side and etched for three quarters of the length in floral pattern. On the right side centre there is a crown over a stringed bugle and the royal VR cypher on the left. The right ricasso has a sun ray symbol and on the left is a blank shield. The edge of the blade has a considerable number of edge nicks. The Sam Browne leather scabbard has a reinforced chape, a nickel plated throat and a strap for fixing to a belt frog. This sword was owned by Lieutenant Colonel Kenneth Hutchison and was used by him in the war in South Africa. He sailed from Brisbane in 1900 in command of the Second Contingent of the Queensland Mounted Infantry.

Court sword and scabbard. The pearl stud design hilt is gilt brass with a half shell guard and knuckle-bow. A gilt sword knot is wrapped around the knuckle-bow guard.

It has a thin tapered spear point blade which is etched with a floral design for three quarters of the length on both sides and has the retailer's name CUTLER & REED St JAMES'S St LONDON on the left side near the hilt. The black leather scabbard has gilt chape and locket mounts, the top one having a shell pattern stud for suspension from a frog. The sword and scabbard are contained in a chamois leather bag that has a red drawstring top. This sword belonged to Colonel (later honorary Major General) J.A.K. MacKay of the 1st Australian Horse.

The Australian Army has rarely or never used the sword as a war time weapon. The sword has always been ceremonial. During the Boer War Officers carried swords but no evidence exists that they used them in battle. The 13th Light Horse were actually issued swords during WW1 but there is no evidence that they ever used them as offensive or defensive weapons. However swords deserve a place in this history for their place in ceremonial military life and for the interest they provoke.
When the Australian Light Horse made their famous Charge at Beersheba they were armed, not with cavalry sabers but with 18 inch Lee Enfield bayonets.

Pattern 1885 Cavalry Troopers Sword. The guard is sheet steel with a part rolled edge and a pierced Maltese Cross design stamped NSWC 198.

The checkered black leather two piece grip is attached to the tang with five rivets and the back strap has the double arrow sale mark. The slightly curved blade has a single fuller to each side that ends 8.25 inches from the double edged point. The ricasso is stamped arrow over WD on the right and /87 on the left. The polished sheet steel scabbard has two strap rings on opposite sides near the throat which is stamped NSWC 125 and has the double arrow sale mark. The back edge and throat are also stamped /86. This sword was owned by the late Trooper William Watts, New South Wales Lancers. Trooper Watts was a member of the NSW Lancers that traveled to the United Kingdom in 1898 and took part in the Aldershot tattoo. He apparently won the sword tent pegging event. On his return to Australia the unit was diverted to South Africa and he saw service during the Boer War.

British Pattern 1899 cavalry troopers sword and scabbard. The guard is sheet steel with a sword knot slit near the pommel and has a pear shaped reinforcing washer on the outside around the blade.

It is stamped on the inside edge 3/01 DR 371 SD over 426(crossed out) and 19H over 550. The grips are two piece checkered leather attached to the tang with three large rivets. The blade is slightly curved with a single broad fuller on each side to within eight inches of the spear point and has '/99 Enfield proof stamp on the flat back edge. The ricasso is stamped with a broad arrow over EFD over X on the right side and numerous issue dates between 1901 to 1909 and four inspectors marks on the left. The steel scabbard has fixed sling rings on each side just below the throat.


British Pattern 1796 Heavy Cavalry Troopers sword and scabbard. Captured from Chinese forces during the "Boxer Rebellion". The blade is straight with a single broad fuller to both sides to within eight inches of the spear point and marked JOS H REDDELL & Co on the back edge and has a British proof mark on the right side.
The Guard is a wrought iron knucklebow broadening out at the base into a pear shaped disc with a sword knot slot near the pommel and two langets on each side down the blade. The grip is wood bound with cord and covered in black leather with 08 painted in green on the iron back strap. The scabbard is iron with two loose ring swivels mounted on bands and has a narrow shoe. There are two Chinese characters painted in red on the reverse near the throat. This sword was captured during the Boxer Rebellion in China.

Imperial German Model 1889 sword and scabbard. The hilt has a half basket steel guard with a Chinese dragon as the cartouche badge. The grip is brown bakelite held to the tang by two steel rivets and has an oval steel pommel. The blade is a single edge, pipe back with a double edge spear point. The ricasso is stamped with E&F.HORSTER SOLINGEN and there is a leather washer where the blade meets the guard. The steel scabbard is plain with two fixed rings on a bands at 50 mm and 150 mm from the throat which is held to the body by two screws. Attached to the lower ring is chain that is connected to a broken brown leather hanger strap with a brass buckle in the centre.

Chinese sword and scabbard.

The hilt has an oval iron guard with a reinforced downward rim, iron collar and round pommel.

The grips are two piece plain wood with a hole 25 mm down from the pommel. The broad, slightly curved blade has a single thin fuller on each side near the back edge to within 150 mm from the hatchet point. The scabbard is wood covered in black fish-skin. This is mounted with an iron shoe chape and has two iron central bands connected by a back bar that has slots near the bands for hanger straps. All metal parts are painted black. This sword was collected by Samuel Patterson, an Australian who served in the Boxer Rebellion, 1900.

This sword is of the type used by the Chinese during the Boxer Rebellion of 1900.

The translation of the Chinese characters on the blade is "Zhenghong-han".

Chinese sword. The hilt has an oval iron guard with a reinforced downward rim, iron collar and round pommel. The grips are two piece plain wood bound with blue/beige cord. The broad, slightly curved blade has a single thin fuller on each side near the back edge to within 165 mm from the hatchet point. The left side of the blade has three crudely engraved Chinese characters. All metal parts have been painted black.

Queen Victoria era Court Dress Sword & Scabbard, both in excellent condition with original gilt on Sword & Scabbard. The Pummel is surmounted by a Crown.

The Guard has the Royal Cypher "VR" surmounted by a Crown and Oak Leaves and Acorns.

The Blade has intricate Scroll work, with a Crown on one side & a Banner on the other. Total length of sword is 37¼". Length of blade is 31½".

length of Scabbard is 32½". The number 11 is stamped on the top & bottom of the Scabbard.

No makers name visible but I cannot see under the Guard. A thick Wavy Line is where a Makers name would normally be.

British Pattern 1831 General Officer's Dress Sword and Scabbard. This sword belonged to General Sir Charles Rosenthal. The gilded hilt is the Mameluke style with a crossed baton and sword within a wreath on both sides of the cross guard. The ivory grips are fitted to the tang by two rose pattern gilt rivets and a gold and red sword knot is attached to the pommel. The plain unfullered blade, with a double edge clip back point, is etched on both sides and includes the Royal Cypher of George V in the centre. The ricasso has the interlocking triangle symbol on the right and the military outfitters name of W CHORLEY & CO Ltd SYDNEY on the left. The back edge of the blade is numbered 03745. The scabbard is nickel plated steel and rusted in parts with two loose hanger rings on bands at 10.5 and 3.5 inches from the throat.

British Pattern 1897 Infantry Officer's Sword and Scabbard :

Major General H E Elliott, 7 Battalion, AIF

British Pattern 1897 Infantry Officer sword and scabbard. The hilt has a nickel plated three quarter 'scroll' pattern pierced sheet steel guard with the GVR royal cypher and has a leather sword knot attached to the slot near the pommel. The grip is wire bound black fish-skin. The straight blade is etched half way on both sides with a foliage design having the royal coat of arms on the centre right and the royal cypher of George V on the centre left. There is a single fuller on each side for half of the length. The ricasso is etched with the interlocking triangle symbol on the right with By Warrant in a scroll banner and the Prince of Wales three feathers over a scroll with By Appointment and HENRY WILKINSON PALL MALL LONDON on the left. A buff leather washer is attached to the blade where it meets the hilt and the back edge has an arrow within a D 10/13. The nickel plated steel scabbard has two loose suspension rings on bands at 2.5 and 10.5 inches from the throat. The sword is contained in a black oilskin cover.

Imperial German Model 1889 Cavalry Sword and Scabbard : 7 Dragoons, Prussian Cavalry

The hilt has a steel half basket guard with the heraldic eagle of Prussia as the cartouche badge and the grip is brown bakelite held to the tang with two screw bolts. The guard is stamped 7.D. 159. A beige sword knot with six brown stripes on the strap and a black and white tassel is attached to the guard. The blade is a single edge, pipe back with a double edge spear point. The ricasso is stamped F.W.HOLLER SOLINGEN. The blued steel scabbard is plain with a fixed ring on a band 60 mm from the throat. The sword knot, markings and cartouche badge indicate that this sword was issued to the Prussian 7th Dragoon Regiment. It was collected in France during the First World War.

Imperial German Officer's Sword and Scabbard : Saxon 20 Ulanen Regiment.

The design and markings on this sword indicate that it was used by an officer of the 20th Saxon Ulanen Regiment. The sword is part of the Luks collection (no199) and incorrectly catalogued as a Bavarian trooper's sword. It was collected in France during the First World War. The hilt has a cast brass half basket guard pierced with a floral design and the coat of arms of Saxony on the swell. The grip is fishskin bound with brass wire. The straight blade has a triple fuller on each side to within 40 mm of the spear point. The ricasso is stamped WEYERSBURG KIRSCHBAUM & CO SOLINGEN on the left and has a royal cypher of a crown over AR on the right. The blued steel scabbard has a single fixed ring on a band 60 mm from the throat and is fitted with a leather frog that has a back panel, two leather loops a securing strap and a central belt hanger strap. The top section is stamped UR.20.

Imperial German Artillery Officer's Sword and Scabbard: Prussian Artillery

This sword is a good quality example of a German lions head pattern Artillery Officer's sword of the First World War.

Imperial German Artillery Officer's sword and scabbard. The brass hilt has a single bar stirrup type guard having a heavily chiseled design of a knights helmet with crossed cannon on the front langet. The grip is fish skin bound with silver wire and the blackstrap pommel has a lions head. A black leather and silver wire sword knot is attached to the guard. The curved blade is etched on both sides and back for half the length with a floral design and it has a single fuller on each side to within 230 mm of the spear point . The ricasso is stamped with a kings head and a knights helmet over WK&C. The black painted scabbard has two loose strap rings attached to bands at 75 mm and 260 mm from the throat.

Turkish Officer's Sword and Scabbard. This sword was surrendered by a senior Turkish officer captured by the 10th Australian Light Horse Regiment at Magdhaba.

The hilt has a brass D shape stirrup guard, a plain brass back strap and crescent moon and star on the front langet. A brass button stud and clip holds the sword into the scabbard. The grips are brown bone bound with brass wire in the nine horizontal bands. A brown leather sword knot is attached to a loose ring on the pommel. The curved blade has a single fuller to within 210 mm from the spear point and a small Arabic inscription on the right side over 2166 (in Arabic numerals). The nickel plated steel scabbard has two loose rings on brass bands at 65 mm and 200 mm from the brass throat.

British Pattern 1891 Naval Officers Dress Sword and Scabbard: Commander Louis Rowland, RN was attached to the Royal Australian Navy 1913-18. His son Air Marshal Sir James Anthony Rowland was Governor of New South Wales 1981-89. Pattern 1891 Naval Officers Dress Sword. The hilt is a small gilt/brass solid half basket type with the crowned anchor RNR cartouche badge and the lion head blackstrap pommel. The back edge of the guard folds down as a clip onto the scabbard locket and is stamped L C Rowland, R.N. A blue and gold sword knot is attached to the guard. The grip is gilt wire bound over white ray skin. The slightly curved blade with a spear point has been sharpened and has an etched floral design for half the length with a crowned anchor on the right and the royal coat of arms on the left. The ricasso has the interlocking triangle symbol surrounding a small brass 'approved' disc and the blackstrap is numbered 17317. The scabbard is black leather with three gilt brass fittings. The sword is contained in a chamois cover and a brown leather bag with a detachable top.

British Pattern 1912 Cavalry Officer's Sword and Scabbard: Major J Nott, 4 Light Horse Regiment, AIF

The hilt has a nickel plated steel bowl guard decorated on the outside with a scroll design and has a sword knot slot near the pommel. It is stamped 3 over 86. The fishskin grip is bound with German silver wire and there is a brown leather sword knot attached to the guard which is stamped 19 LH. The straight blade has a single fuller to each side to within eight inches of the spear point and is decorated with a floral design and the GVR cypher. The back edge is etched LONDON MADE and the ricasso has the makers name of HENRY WILKINSON PALL MALL LONDON. The brown pigskin leather scabbard, marked 86 near the nickel plated throat, has a collar and strap to attach it to the Sam Browne belt frog.

British Pattern 1897 Infantry Officer's Sword and Scabbard: Lieutenant General Sir Vernon Sturdee, AIF

The hilt has a nickel plated three quarter 'scroll' pattern pierced sheet steel guard with the EVIIR royal cypher and has a leather sword knot attached to the slot near the pommel. The grip is wire bound black fish-skin. The straight blade is etched half way on both sides with a foliage design having the royal cypher of Edward VII in the centre. There is a single fuller on each side for half of the length. The ricasso is etched with the interlocking triangle symbol on the right. A buff leather washer is attached to the blade where it meets the hilt and the back edge is stamped 566. The brown leather scabbard has a nickel plated chape and throat. Attached to the scabbard is a 'Sam Browne' frog with two belt straps, stamped A.A.O.D on the front and C.G.H.F over an arrow S sale mark. The sword is contained in a black oilskin cover.

Imperial German Model 1889 Infantry Officer's Sword and Scabbard: Prussian Infantry

The hilt is a gilded brass D shape guard with an oak and laurel leaf design. The pommel has a bearded face on the back edge and a monogram of TK on the top disc. The outer folding edge has the Imperial German eagle of Kaiser Wilhelm II. The grip is brass wire bound over brown bakelite with a brass cypher of the Kaiser in the centre. There is a leather fore finger loop on the inside of the guard and a black leather and silver wire sword knot attached to the knucklebow. The nickel plated straight blade has a double fuller on each side to 60 mm from the spear point and the ricasso is stamped with a kings head and a knights head over W.K & C. A white buff leather washer is fitted to the blade where it meets the guard. The blued steel scabbard has a single loose ring on a band 60 mm from the throat.

British Pattern 1822 Artillery Officer's Sword and Scabbard: Lieutenant C C Worner, 3 Australian Light Horse. This sword is unusual in that it is an Artillery Officer's sword but was used by Lieutenant Claude Caville Worner of the Third Australian Light Horse Militia Regiment

Steel three bar hilt and back strap with a wire bound fishskin grip. The slightly curved blade has a single fuller to each side to within eleven inches of the spear point. It is etched with a foliage design on both sides with a winged lightening bolt over ARTILLERY in the centre and C.C.WORNER 3rd A.L.H. in a banner on the right and the royal coat of arms over UBIQUE over a field gun on the centre left. The ricasso has a brass disc stamped APPROVED on the right side and the military outfitter's name of W CHORLEY & CO SYDNEY NSW on the left. The back edge is stamped 15834. The scabbard is sheet steel with two loose rings located at two inches and ten inches respectively from the throat.

British Pattern 1908 Cavalry Sword and Scabbard:

This type of sword was issued to some light Horse Regiments during the First World War.

Hilt Mounts: Pommel and ferrule at bottom of grip are of malleable cast iron. Grips: Dermatine or similar light brown plastic with a large depression for the thumb, grip length 6.75 inches. Guard: Sheet steel bowl with a beaded edge stamped 2KEH A81; sword knot slot near the pommel and a large pear shaped reinforcing piece on outside near blade shoulder. A brown leather sword knot is attached to the guard. The blade is straight tapered with a single fuller on each side to within 8 inches of the spear point and double edged for last 6 inches and stamped P'08 on the back edge near the guard. The ricasso is stamped on the right with a broad arrow and EFD, a proof mark, X and on the left two inspectors marks and 3.15. A buff leather washer is pinned to the blade where it meets the guard. The scabbard is tapered sheet steel with two fixed strap loops 2.25 inches from mouthpiece. It is stamped on the back edge with a broad arrow, EFD, a proof mark and '12. The locket is stamped on the back 14.R.R over 97.

Imperial German Army Officer's Sword and Scabbard: Saxon Infantry

This sword was surrendered to Major Edwin W Hunt, D.S.O, M.C, of "Hunt's Scouts" in 1915 by a German officer at the capture of Windhoek, the capital of German West Africa commanded by General Botha. The colours on the sword knot indicate that the German officer was from a Saxony Regiment. The nickel plated hilt has a P shape stirrup guard and plain back strap. The fishskin grip is bound with brass wire. A leather and silver sword knot stitched with silver/gilt wire and a green centre is attached to the guard. The slightly curved nickel plated blade has a single fuller on both sides to 260 mm from the double edge spear point and there is a etched panel on both sides with a floral and armourial design. The nickel plated steel scabbard has a single loose ring on a band 60 mm from the throat and another band, missing the hanger ring, at 260 mm.

British Pattern 1822 Artillery Officer's Sword and Scabbard: Field Marshal Lord Birdwood The hilt has a nickel plated three bar guard and blackstrap. The fishskin grip is bound with silver wire and there is a brown leather sword knot attached to the guard near the pommel. The blade has a single fuller to each side of the blade and is etched for three quarters on the right side with a floral design, the royal VR cypher and the coat of arms of Lord Birdwood having five birds on a plain background. The left side has the royal VR cypher, the monogram WRB over 1885, the Prince of Wales feathers over By Royal Appointment near the ricasso which has the manufacturer's name HENRY WILKINSON PALL MALL LONDON. The back edge is numbered 26534. The brown leather scabbard has a nickel plated chape and locket with a loose leather band and attachment strap for the Sam Browne frog stud near the throat.

This sword was apparently found in France during the First World War. It is unusual in that the 'Gothic' style hilt was replaced in 1895 with a nickel plated sheet steel guard. The GVR cypher is post 1911. Pattern 1892 infantry officers sword with a gilded brass 'gothic' style guard with the cypher of GVR. The grip is fishskin and is missing the brass wire binding. The blade is numbered 6775 and has etching on three quarters of the length. The left side has foliage and a crown over the GVR cypher and on the right is the royal coat of arms with the interlocked triangle symbol surrounding a brass approved disc on the ricasso. A white leather washer is fitted where the blade joins the guard. The sword is contained in a light brown leather covered wooden scabbard that has a brass throat and a leather strap to secure it into the frog.


French general's dress sword and scabbard. The gilt brass hilt has a double clam shell and single bar guard with a motif of three lances, a laurel wreath and two superimposed five pointed stars on the front. The grip appears to be made from tortoise shell with brass wire binding and there is a German style sword knot attached to the knuckle guard near the pommel.
The straight double edged blade is plain and there are no manufacturers marks on the ricasso. The black leather scabbard has a chape and a frog stud locket in gilded brass.

Imperial German Model 1889 Cavalry Officer's Sword and Scabbard: 3 Schleswig Dragoon Regiment Number 15

The hilt has a nickel steel guard with the heraldic eagle of Prussia as the cartouche badge on a hinged section and a black bakelite (cracked) grip. The guard is stamped 5.28. A brown leather sword strap with a yellow fringed knot is wrapped around the guard. The straight blade has a single fuller to each side to within 185 mm of the double edge spear point and a trade mark of a kings head and a knights head over W.K&C is stamped on the right ricasso. The blade is etched on the right side with crossed swords in a wreath, a mounted officer and in the centre a blued panel with 3.Schles.Drag. Rgt.No15. The left side has a floral pattern with a horses head at the top and a troop of cavalry in the centre. The black painted steel scabbard is plain with a single fixed ring on a band 55 mm from the throat.

This sword was originally issued to the British 4th Hussars and converted to resemble the Officer's Pattern 1912 sword. It was carried by Lieutenant W Ewing of the 13th Light Horse in France during the First World War.

Pattern 1908 Cavalry Troopers sword and scabbard. Hilt Mounts: Pommel and ferrule at bottom of grip are of malleable cast iron. Grips are Dermatine or similar light brown plastic with a large depression for the thumb. The guard is a nickel plated sheet steel bowl with a beaded edge and a large pear shaped reinforcing piece on the outside near blade shoulder. The guard is stamped with a broad arrow and MOLE on the outside. The blade is straight tapered with a single fuller on each side to within 8 inches of the spear point and double edged for the last 6 inches. The ricasso is stamped on the right with a broad arrow and an Enfield inspectors mark. The left side has Enfield inspectors marks an 11 '11 and '16. The back edge is stamped P'08 and a buff leather washer is pinned to the blade where it meets the guard. The scabbard is brown leather covered wood with a nickel plated locket stamped 9/10 over 4H over 447 and is stamped Lieut W. EWING on the leather. A frog strap band is fitted three inches down from the throat.

Japanese Trooper's Sword and Scabbard c. 1886

The hilt has a small sheet steel D shape guard with a checkered steel back strap and plain pommel. The guard is stamped with the triple interlocked rings symbol of the Koishikawa arsenal. The grips are checkered wood and a single screw bolt though the centre secures the hilt to the blade. A spring catch on the inside fits into a slot on the throat of the scabbard. A broken brown leather sword knot is attached to the guard. The slightly curved blade has a single fuller on each side to within 40 mm of the single edged point and is stamped 128284 on the left ricasso. The blackened steel scabbard has a single loose hanger ring on a band 85 mm down from the throat which is held to the body by a single screw at the front. Used in 1st and 2nd World Wars by mounted troops.

This is an unusual sword in that it is a combination of British pattern components made for the Indian Army. It was introduced in the 1860's and was still being used during the First World War.

Indian Cavalry trooper's sword and scabbard. The hilt is the steel three bar British Pattern of 1821 with a brass wire bound fishskin grip and steel blackstrap. The blade is similar to the 1796 light cavalry troopers saber with a broad single fuller on each side for first three quarters from the hilt and a hatchet point. The ricasso is stamped on the right side WILKINSON a broad arrow over I over 1916 and broad arrow over ISD on the left. The black leather covered wooden scabbard is badly scuffed and has steel chape and locket. A leather ring washer is nailed to the scabbard three and a half inches down from the throat.

This sword was sold as surplus to the Turkish Government by the French and used by the Turkish Army during the First World War.

French Model 1814 Cavalry sword and scabbard. The hilt has a four bar brass guard, stamped on the inside edge 42 in Arabic numerals and a plain brass pommel. The grip is leather bound with brass wire. The curved blade has a wide fuller on each side to within 160 mm from the point and a thin 550 mm fuller on each side near the back edge. The steel scabbard has two loose hanger rings on bands 90 mm and 293 mm from the throat which is riveted to the body.

This sword was taken from a Turkish officer at Anzac.

Turkish Officer's sword and scabbard. The hilt is a steel three bar half basket with the outer bar missing and an outward raised section for the thumb. The curved back strap pommel is plain brass and the grips are fishskin bound with brass wire. The curved blade has a wide single fuller on each side to within 300 mm from the clipped back point and then has a double fuller to 60 mm from the point. It is elaborately etched for half the length on both sides with a floral design entwining trophies of arms and on the centre right is a woman's face. The nickel plated steel scabbard has two loose strap hanger rings on bands at 80 mm and 285 mm from the throat.

This sword was handed over to Staff Captain (Major) Ernest Alfred Knight Hudson of the Australian Light Horse Brigade at the surrender of Turkish troops in Palestine during the latter part of the First World War.

Turkish Shamshir sword and scabbard. The hilt is a straight silver engraved cross-guard with double langets and engraved silver strap around the tang. The wooden grips are riveted to the tang and has a pronounced bulbous curved pommel. The plain curved blade has a double edged clipped back point. The scabbard is leather covered wood and has ornate arabesque embossed silver fittings. There are two loose hanger rings on silver bands.

Definitions of terms used in relation to swords.
Cartouche	A structure or figure, often in the shape of an oval shield or oblong scroll, used as an architectural or graphic ornament or to bear a design or inscription.
Chape	A metal tip or mounting on a scabbard or sheath.
Fingering	Wrapping the index finger around the ricasso to provide better sword control.
Frog	A leather or canvas item made to hold a sword or bayonet scabbard in place against the saddle or body.
Fuller	A shallow flute in the middle of one or both sides of a blade. Lightens the sword (or bayonet) and makes it stronger and somewhat flexible. Swords have none, one, or several fullers. A fuller also allows easier retraction from the clinging flesh on a bayonet insertion. It is believed that the fuller also allows the entrance of air to the wound which increases the pain and shock.
Knucklebow	Stylized metal guard that protects the fingers from the opponents sword.
Pommel	Also called pummel. A variously shaped counterweight to the sword blade, riveted to the end of the sword tang above the grip.
Ricasso	The dull part of a blade right above the hilt. Made for fingering. Not all swords have it.
Scabbard	Sheath for a sword, bayonet or dagger. Originally made of thin wood, lined with felt or sheepskin, and covered in leather. Now more often made of metal and polished or leather covered.
Tang	The continuing, hidden part of a blade inside a handle. May be of a different temper than the blade. Sword may have full or partial tangs.