*British, WW1, George V Royal Navy Pattern 1827 Officer’s Sword, Scabbard & Knot, by Gieves*
A fine British Royal Navy officer’s sword of the Pattern 1827, dating to the reign of King George V and retailed by Gieves, one of London’s foremost naval outfitters. The straight, single-edged blade is of regulation form, retaining a bright finish and etched on both faces with traditional naval motifs, including fouled anchors, scrolling foliage, and a crowned Royal cypher, all executed in the correct early 20th-century style. The ricasso is etched GIEVES, confirming retailer attribution, the proof mark surrounds an S.
The gilt brass hilt is of standard naval pattern, featuring a lion’s head pommel with wire-bound fishskin grip, intact and well defined. The folding inner guard bears the fouled anchor within a crowned oval, crisply struck, with original green felt washer present at the blade shoulder. The sword is complete with its correct black leather scabbard, mounted with gilt brass locket, middle band, and chape, each decorated with engraved foliate ornament. The original naval sword knot (tassel) is present, correctly patterned for Royal Navy officer wear.
Approx. Measurements – Blade length: 80 cm. Overall length: 93.5 cm.
Historical Note:
The Pattern 1827 Royal Navy sword was introduced to standardise officer sidearms following earlier, more varied naval patterns and remained in service—with minor refinements—throughout the 19th century and into the First World War. By the George V period, the pattern had become firmly established as both a functional and ceremonial emblem of commissioned naval rank.
Gieves & Hawkes (trading as Gieves during this period) held long-standing Royal Warrants and was a principal outfitter to naval officers, supplying uniforms, accoutrements, and edged weapons. Swords retailed by Gieves were typically produced to a high standard and were often privately purchased by officers upon commissioning or promotion. Examples such as this would have been worn by Royal Navy officers throughout the First World War, both ashore and aboard ship, and remained in use for formal and ceremonial duties thereafter.
*Condition*
Blade in very good condition, remaining bright with clear and legible etching, showing only light age-related surface wear. Hilt gilt remains strong, with minor handling wear consistent with age. Grip and wire binding intact. Scabbard leather sound, with minor abrasions and small dents to the mounts, but structurally complete and well preserved. Sword knot present and original, showing expected age toning. Please see photographs as part of the condition report.
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