This is a bit of an anomaly. The blade, of German make from the early 1860s, is clearly marked 'West Essex Yeomanry'. The hilt, however, is an 1822 pattern infantry officer's example, complete with folding guard. Blade and guard clearly belong, as evidenced by the age patina on the tang button.
The W.E. Yeomanry was raised in 1830 by George Palmer to protect the Waltham Abbey gunpowder mills and the recently established Enfield Arsenal during the Reform agitation of the era. It served at Palmer's expense 1838-43,disbanding in 1877, a victim of agricultural depression.
The C.K. stamp at the forte helps date the sword and identify the maker as Carl Klonne, working 1859-63 in Solingen. It has a 32.5" blade. The grip is in good shape with all its original wire. I've tightened the hilt with a wooden wedge where the (missing) guard spring should be. Perhaps the owner or another family member had previously served in an infantry unit and he simply kept his old sword and had it etched with the W.E. Yeomanry logo? The scabbard certainly matches the blade and is a typical polished steel example of the era.
If you want to comment on this item—re quality, age, etc—please email me.
[Edged Weapons : Swords : British : 19th Century]
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