Early 1895 Pattern Infantry Officers Sword To A Lieutenant General

A very good and early example of an 1895 Pattern Infantry Officers Sword, by Wilkinson.

The sword of Lieutenant-General Sir George Norton Cory, KBE, CB, DSO (26 December 1874 – 17 November 1968) 

A full biographical entry may be found for him HERE, and an indepth list of his military appointments may be found here: HERE.

In brief, Cory was born in Evanston, Illinois, the son of a Canadian father, Charles Dickenson Cory, of Halifax, Nova Scotia, and American mother, Ella Agnes Norton. He enrolled at Bishop's College School in Quebec, Canada from 1889 to 1891 and attended their cadet corps. He entered the Royal Military College of Canada in Kingston, Ontario in 1891 and departed ranking fourth in the R.M.C. matrix and graduating in 1895.

Cory was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Royal Dublin Fusiliers on 28 August 1895, and promoted to Lieutenant on 5 January 1897. He saw action in South Africa as adjutant with the Composite Regiment of Mounted Infantry during the Second Boer War for which he was appointed a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order. Promotion to Captain followed on 24 February 1900.

In the First World War he served with the British Expeditionary Force on the Western Front from 1914 to 1915 and then with the British Salonika Force from 1915 to 1917. He was appointed a Companion of the Order of the Bath in the 1918 Birthday Honours.

After the war he became General Officer Commanding the 27th Division in May 1919, Deputy Adjutant-General in India in 1921 and then Director of Personal Services in India later the same year. He went on to be Deputy Chief of the General Staff, India in 1922 and was appointed a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire in the 1925 Birthday Honours. He became General Officer Commanding 50th (Northumbrian) Division in 1927 before retiring in 1931.

At the start of the Second World War was recalled to service as Inspector & Chief Liaison Officer to Allied Contingents, working with the Dutch, Danes, Poles, French and others across England, a post he took up in 1940. He retired for the final time in 1943.

The 1895 Pattern Infantry Officers hilt bearing the crowned royal cypher of Queen Victoria. Domed pommel and fully chequered backstrap. The grip bound with shagreen and silver twistwire, which is all complete and in very good condition. Some areas of loss to the plated finish.

The single fullered 1892 pattern blade measuring 32 inches. Wilkinson details, Prince of Wales Feathers, and "HW" proof slug to the ricassos. Serial number to the spine. The blade etched with the Cory family crest and his overlaid initials. Further etched with foliate engraving, the royal coat of arms, and crowned VR cypher. The blade plated originally and in very good condition, remaining bright and clean. Some minor old staining towards the blades point. The blade firm in the hilt.

Housed in a brown leather field service scabbard with reinfrced section to the drag. The scabbard retains its original suspension strap and is in very good condition overall, with only minor scuffs.

Supplied with a digital copy of the Wilkinson Ledger page, confirming the original owner.

An excellent opportunity to purchase a scarce pattern of sword, by the best possible maker, to a high ranking and long serving Anglo-American Officer, which is worthy of further detailed research.

Strictly over 18's only. Photo ID will be required before this item can be dispatched