Indian Army Casualty Sword

The sword of Major Frederick Lee Hughes, Indian Army.

He was born on the 13th of March 1882 in Kensington, London, the son of Major General Thomas Elliott Hughes, and his wife Edith Rose Hughes (nee Onslow) He was educated at the United Services College from 1896-98.

Comissioned into the South Lancashire Regiment on the 8th of January 1901, before joining the Indian Staff Corps and being seconded to the 20th Duke of Cambridge's Own Infantry (Brownlow's Punjabis) he was promoted to Captain on the 8th of January 1910.

He was Killed in Action at Sarwakai, Waziristan. on the 2nd March 1917.

At the time of his death, Major Hughes was attached South Waziristan Militia Military Police and Levies.

His brother, Thomas Onslow Hughes was an Assistant Political Agent serving with the Military Police and Levies Mekran Levy Corps. He was killed by a Ghazi at Mand Mekran, Baluchistan on the 16th April 1916. 

Steel regulation hilt of 1827 pattern, with the crowned strung bugle within a cartouche, no signs of deforamation, with fully chequered backpiece. Shagreen bound with twistwire in good order, with some discolouration and minor losses. 

The 32.75 inch, 1892 pattern single fullered blade, by Wilkinson Sword, Pall Mall, London. Decorated with the owners overlapping initials with a panel. Floral etching with crowned VR cypher and royal coat of arms. The blade is clean and bright, with some old staining, mostly towards the point. 

Housed in it's steel dress scabbard with twin hanging rings. 

The whole untouched and with some loss to the plating on hilt and scabbard..  The sword would benefit from a careful clean and polish, particuarly around the hilt, to bring it up to collectors standard.

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

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