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Reference Image - Not for Reproduction
2nd Model 1895 Backsword with Gothic Hilt, for Officer of Indian Army
Reference Image - Not for Reproduction
Image © Worcester Art Museum, all rights reserved.

2nd Model 1895 Backsword with Gothic Hilt, for Officer of Indian Army

Date1901–1905
Mediumnickel-plated steel, brass, wood and fishskin
Dimensions1.9 × 98.4 × 83.5 cm (3/4 × 38 3/4 × 32 7/8 in.), 1 lb, 10 oz (weight)
ClassificationsArms and Armor
MarkingsRicasso obverse with brass inlaid "PROVED T" mark within etched 6-pointed star. Ricasso reverse etched "EDW. THURKLE / 5.DENMARK ST. / SOHO / LONDON". ERI = royal monogram of Indian army under King Edward VII (reign 1901-10). WJK, 10 Aug 1993.
Credit LineThe John Woodman Higgins Armory Collection
Object number2014.492.1
DescriptionPlated steel straight "dumb-bell" section blade becoming triangular about half its length & developing false edge about 6" from acute spear point. Both blade faces similarly etched with lobated cartouche containing intertwined strapwork & on obverse face Tudor crowned arms of the United Kingdom & on opposite face Tudor crowned monogram "ERI." At blade shoulder, thick brown leather washer.

Plated steel half-basket hilt with turned reverse edge. Hilt pierced with thick strapwork & monogram as on blade. Modified bird's head pommel with rounded button & integral checkered backstrap. Wooden grip covered in dark fishskin & wrapped with plain brass and twisted silver wire. Molded basal ferrule.
ProvenanceMacIntosh collection (#8) purchased by the Museum in December 1970. Collection transfer from Higgins Armory, January 2014.
On View
Not on view
Reference Image - Not for Reproduction
Weyersberg company
1861–1865
Reference Image - Not for Reproduction
N. P. Ames Company
1865–1872
Reference Image - Not for Reproduction
Kirschbaum & Bremskey
1872–1900
Reference Image - Not for Reproduction
Italian
about 1470–1480
Reference Image - Not for Reproduction
German
about 1750–1760
Reference Image - Not for Reproduction
Shaban Ziya
hilt about 1700–1750, blade 1860–1861
Reference Image - Not for Reproduction
French
late 1600s–early 1700s
Cutlass
Spanish
blade dated 1804; hilt about 1810
Kilij (sword)
Turkish
1800s