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Named 1897 Pattern Infantry Officer's Sword by Pillin
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Named 1897 Pattern Infantry Officer's Sword by Pillin

EL6112
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EL6112 - A late-Victorian infantry officer's sword, to a named officer with Boer War history. The officer in question was Christopher Erle (1873-1917).

Erle commissioned on 3rd March 1893 as Second-Lieutenant in the 3rd Battalion, the Duke of Cambridge’s Own (Middlesex Regiment), made Lieutenant on 12th December 1894 and was seconded as Second-Lieutenant to 2nd Dragoons (Royal Scots Greys). On 4th March 1896 Erle made Captain in the 3rd Battalion, the Duke of Cambridge’s Own (Middlesex Regiment) and from 1900 to 1901 served with the 1st Contingent, 44th (Suffolk) Company, 12th Battalion, Imperial Yeomanry. He arrived in South Africa on 28th March 1900 and was wounded on 11 June 1900 at Roodeval, suffering a ‘slight’ gunshot wound in the left arm. Mentioned in Despatches. On 21st June 1908 Erle made Captain and Hon. Major in 3rd Battalion, the Hampshire Regiment. On 10th September 1913 he relinquished his commission (as Major) in 3rd Battalion, the Hampshire Regiment. On the 5th September 1914 Erle was made Temporary Captain in service battalion. 2nd October 1914 as temporary Captain, he relinquished his commission in 10th Battalion, the Hampshire Regiment, on account of ill health.

Medals sold at Bonhams (Oct 2003):
Pair to Lieutenant C.Erle, Imperial Yeomanry, Queen's South Africa 1899-1902, four bars, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, S.A.01 (Lieut C.Erle 44 Co 12/Impl. Yeo.); Coronation 1911. Very fine.
Erle died in the Military Hospital, Alexandria, of an unidentified illness on 10th February 1917. His Obituary in The Times, Feb 17, 1917:
"FALLEN OFFICERS
CAPTAIN CHRISTOPHER ERLE, Northampton Regiment, of Bramshott Place, Liphook, Hants, for some time hon. major in the 3rd Hampshire Regiment, and formerly of the 2nd Dragoons (Royal Scots Greys), was the only surviving son of the late Twynihoe William Erle, a Master of the Supreme Court, of Bramshott Place, and of Mrs. Erle, of 17, Parkside, Knightsbridge, and a great-nephew of Sir William Erle, some time Chief Justice of the Common Pleas; he was the last descendant of the Erles in the male line. He was educated at Winchester, and after leaving the Army, read for the Bar. On the outbreak of the South African War in 1899 he volunteered for active service, and was wounded. At the end of the campaign he returned home, and was called to the Bar by the Inner Temple. He again volunteered on the outbreak of the present war, and died of illness at a military hospital abroad on February 10."

The sword is in very nice condition with a deliberately plain blade, except for the crest and initials, as well as the maker's name. Pillin were a top quality maker and this blade is of more chunky proportions than an average example of the pattern. It is possible that this blade dates to Erle's commission in 1893 and that it was re-hilted in 1897 (I believe this to be the case). The hilt is firm on the tang, the shagreen and grip wire are in good condition and the plated guard is bright (in fact it has clearly been kept in high polish during its service life and this has reduced the engraved detail a bit, but is honest service polishing, not recent). Housed in its original well-worn service scabbard.

A lovely sword, a good example of the pattern by a top maker, as well as having a top notch provenance.

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