British Pattern 1897 Infantry Officer's Sword and Scabbard : Captain G R Thompson, MC, Australian Engineers, AIF

British Pattern 1897 Infantry Officer sword and scabbard. The hilt has a nickel plated three quarter 'scroll' pattern pierced sheet steel guard with the GVR royal cypher, stamped 760 and a checkered backstrap. The grip is wire bound black fishskin. The straight blade is etched half way on both sides with a foliage design having the Royal Coat of Arms on the centre right and the royal cypher of George V on the centre left. There is a single fuller on each side for half of the length. The ricasso is etched with the interlocking triangle symbol on the right with the Royal Coat of Arms over By Warrant and the Prince of Wales three feathers over a scroll with By Appointment and HENRY WILKINSON PALL MALL LONDON on the left. A leather washer is attached to the blade where it meets the hilt and the back edge has an arrow within a D. The brown leather scabbard has two loose suspension rings on nickel plated bands at 3 and 8.5 inches from the nickel plated throat. A bow of purple ribbon is attached to the second ring.

This sword belonged to Captain George Richard Thompson, MC, Australian Engineers. The scabbard is the second pattern to suit the Sam Browne' equipment but has been modified with two strap hanger rings.