EL6200 - This sword was made for Walter George Hodgson in 1886 (Wilkinson proof record attached). Hodgson initially commissioned into the Worcestershire Regiment in August 1886, but quickly transferred to the India Staff Corps (recorded as being seconded in 1888), where he served with 17th Madras Infantry Regiment (which he is recorded with until at least 1900). He is recorded as being the son of a Colonel Hodgson of the Bombay Staff Corps and in 1900 is recorded as getting married. In 1904 he is recorded as serving with the 82nd Punjabis and in 1912 being posted to the Magistrates' Department, so he seems to have had an active and varied career while in India. The blade is in quite good condition, with a lot of original polish remaining and some small areas of corrosion. It has been service sharpened and is firm in the hilt. The brass guard is of the wider and thicker type that Wilkinson started offering in the 1880s and is in good shape. The shagreen has a few patches of loss and the thinner grip wire has gone - normal for a sword with a long service life like this. The field service scabbard has a repair which could be improved quite easily. Overall, a top quality and solid sword with great history, a little worn from service, but in generally good condition overall.
