Militaria Zone

Dealer Information

Dealer: Great Scott Antiques
Location: Hampshire, United Kingdom
Tel: 07824445058
Email: chris@greatscottantiques.com

1821 Pattern Royal Artillery Officers Sword by Wilkinson MC Winner

SOLD

Code: 11756

Website: https://www.militariazone.com/swords/1821-pattern-royal-artillery-officers-sword-by-wilkinson-mc-winner/itm42105

A good 1821 Pattern Royal Artillery Officers Sword by Wilkinson Sword.

The sword of Captain M.F. Loxton MC, Royal Field Artillery.

Merlin Foster Loxton (1895-1972) was born in Sydney, Australia. The son of Barrister Edward James Loxton KC. Educated (1905-13) at Barker College, Hornsby, Merlin played Rugby and cricket in the school's first XV and XI and was the State's champion rifle-shooter.

Sailing for England in April 1915, Loxton was commissioned in the Royal Field Artillery Special Reserve on 5 June. Three months later he was sent to the Western Front with the 114th Battery. He saw action at Loos and on the Somme, France, and at Ypres, Belgium. In 1917 he was wounded at Wystchaete and evacuated to England. Next year he was promoted acting captain, and commanded his battery in France and with the Army of Occupation in Germany. Awarded the Military Cross (1919) and thrice mentioned in dispatches, he returned to Sydney in July 1919.

Postwar, despite Loxton's great love for horses and  life on the land, he returned to the university to study law and was admitted to the Bar on 10 May 1923. He developed a solid practice in most jurisdictions and in 1935 inherited his father's rooms in University Chambers. A strong cross-examiner, he respected people who were honest and straightforward and despised those who were not. He aggressively questioned any witness whom he perceived to be prevaricating or disregarding the truth, and he was quick to react if he believed that his opponent, a presiding judge or a magistrate had been unfair to his clients. While respectful and disciplined in his dealings with others, he was never overawed by status or reputation. He took silk on 24 June 1953.

The above taken from the Australian Dictionary of Biography, the full entry of which can be found HERE.


The regulation three bar 1821 pattern hilt, with chequered backpiece and stepped pommel. The shagreen grip bound with silver wire binding 95+% complete. The hilt grubby, with some loss to the plated finish. 

The number dates this sword to circa 1915, which ties in with Loxton's comission date.

A substantial sword with a blade length of 35 inchess, which has been service sharpened. Hexagonal "Best proof" slug to one ricasso, with Wilkinson's details to the other. 

The blade bright and clean,with minor staining. Fully decorated with foliate etching, the Royal Artillery feathered lighting bolts, the words "Royal Artillery" a field gun, and crowned GV cypher. There is also a fine etched banner with the owners name "M.F.Loxton".

The leather field service scabbard is in good condition, with metal throat, the suspension loop broken and blackened, the main body retaining a good amount of polish, some minor scuffs and marks to the body of the scabbard but is a perfect fit and original to the sword.

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

A fine example, fresh to the market, and easily improved with further research, and some light TLC.

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