Wilkinson Heavy Cavalry Sword 19th Hussars

The Wilkinson Heavy Cavalry Officers Sword of Captain Ernest Snowden St. Quintin, 19th Hussars.

Ernest Snowden St. Quintin was born on 2 April 1869 in London, the son of Colonel Thomas Astell St. Quintin and Hon. Mary Eleanor Frances Browne.

He was appointed a 2nd Lieutenant on the 20th Febuary 1889 serving with the Bedfordshire Regiment. On the 5th of December 1891 he was transferred into the 19th Hussars, being promoted to Lieutenant in January 1894. 

He was seconded for service with the Indian Staff Corps on the 20th Febuary 1894.

He servied with the 19th during the Boer war, where he was present for operations in Natal in 1899, including actions at Lombards Kop, and the Defence of Ladysmith, being present for the sortie on the 7th of the 12th 1899, and the action on the 6th of January 1900. 

He was appointed Captain on the 17th July 1901.

He married Laura Helen Charlotte Osborn, daughter of Henry John Robert Osborn and Emily St. Quintin, on 19 November 1901. 

He resigned his comission on 22nd of August 1902.

Upon the outbreak of WW1 he rejoined the Bedfordshire Regiment as a Captain in September 1915.

He died in 1938.

The sword, dating from early 1896, with heavy cavalry honeysuckle hilt, chequered pommel and backstrap. The grip bound with shagreen and silver twistwire. Good overall condition, some loss to the plated finish of the guard. 

The 35 inch single fullered blade with signs of service sharpening and contact marks, some heavy. Etched with Wilkinson's details and proof slug to either ricasso, serial number to the spine. Etched with the Elephant Badge with "19th Hussars" above, and St Quintin's initials, below. Further etched with foliate decoration, the Royal coat of arms, and the crowned crest of Queen Victoria. The blade generally bright with some areas of staining, and light pitting at the point. The blade has been service sharpened.

Housed in its plated steel dress scabbard with twin hanging rings. Signs of a well executed repair around ten inches up from the drag.

Supplied with a digital copy of the Wilkinson Ledger page, confirming the original owner, some digital images of St Quintin in uniform and other research materials.

A very good example of a regimentally marked and attributable cavalry officers sword which has obviously seen service.

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