EL7202 - A wonderful 1895 pattern presentation infantry officer's sword, retailed by Mappin & Webb and made by quality maker Thurkle. The 1895 pattern was only manufactured between 1895 and early 1897, and this sword's presentation dedication is dated to October 1897 (the sword itself must have been made a bit earlier, perhaps 1896, and the dedication added at Mappin & Webb in 1897). The Captain A. J. Sykes of the dedication was Sir Alan John Sykes, 1st Baronet (11 April 1868 – 21 May 1950), who was a prominent officer of the reserves of the Cheshire Regiment, ultimately gaining the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel. Sykes was a businessman, Conservative politician in Cheshire, best known as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Knutsford from 1910 to 1922. He served as a Lieutenant Colonel in the 6th Battalion of the Cheshire Regiment (Territorial Force) and was a director of the Bleachers' Association, Williams Deacon's Bank (1918–1948), and other companies. He was deeply involved in local Cheshire affairs, acting as Chairman of the Stockport Infirmary and Chairman of the Governors of Stockport Grammar School. He was created the 1st Baronet Sykes of Cheadle in the County of Chester on 10 July 1918. Educated at Rugby and Oriel College, Oxford, he lived at Cheadle, Cheshire. The baronetcy became extinct upon his death in 1950. The sword is in excellent condition and there is lots more research potential. This sword could also be used by a service infantry officer, as it is in parade condition.
