EL7264 - A good Wilkinson infantry officer's sword 1845 pattern, numbered 19616 and sold in February 1875 to Lieut George Gill Brittan upon his commissioning into the 62nd Regiment of Foot. Unfortunately, Brittan died only three years later in 1878 in India from a tropical illness contracted there (aged only 22). During his short career, he was promoted from Second Lieutenant to Lieutenant, but I have not done a lot more research on his or his family. There was a memorial tablet erected in a church in Wiltshire to him, but I am not sure if it is still there. The sword itself is in very good condition, the only benefit of a short Army career! The blade is bright and in original polish, firm in the hilt. There are a couple of slight dings to the edge, but other than that it is excellent. The hilt and scabbard are both brass and have light patina from not having been polished for decades - I have not polished these up, as the buyer might prefer to preserve that patina, or polish them up bright. The grip shagreen and wire is all present and very good - everything tight with no movement. Due to Brittan dying so young, this sword has been preserved in very good condition, without the wear and tear we get on swords carried for longer, and there is of course further research potential.
