EL7422 - A rare pre-numbered (1845-1853) Wilkinson Ceylon Rifles officer's sword, with the officer's initials EMB, for Edward Mayne Blackie. Blackie only served for just over a year in the Ceylon Rifles, comissioning as a Second Lieutenant on 16 September 1851 and then retiring and selling his commission in December 1852. His death is recorded in 1853, so it seems likely that he contracted some sort of disease. There is more research to do on that, and the sword itself has been service sharpened, which either means that Blackie had his sword sharpened just because he wanted it sharp (perhaps due to the recent Matale Rebellion of 1848), or that he potentially sold his sword to another officer when he retired and that officer went on to see active service on campaign (which Blackie did not as far as I can see). It was not uncommon for officers to auction off their belongings within the regiment if they retired or left due to illness. The sword is lacking its scabbard, but this would have most likely been black leather with steel fittings for the Ceylon Rifles, or perhaps an entirely steel scabbard (either are possible for this regiment). The sword is great quality, as you'd expect of Wilkinson, and very solid in the hand, with no movement at all. The grip is in good condition, with only little bits of contraction to the back edge of the shagreen, and all the wire is present. The metalwork, both hilt and blade, have dark patina, but the blade etching is very clear and deep. There are some areas with a little bit of light surface pitting, particularly near the tip. A really interesting and top quality sword, with more research potential.
