Ref: 2162 - A Superb WW1 1895 Pattern Infantry Officers' Sword by ‘Armfield Ltd. Birmingham'.
A Superb WW1 1895 Pattern Infantry Officers' Sword by ‘Armfield Ltd. Birmingham'.
A very good WW1 era 1895 Pattern infantry officer’s sword. It has a nickel-plated sheet steel, half-basket style, Guard with a Ray-skin-grip, wrapped with twisted brass wire and a hatched nickel back strap; the pierced basket bears the royal cypher of King George V. It has a straight, single-edged, single-fullered blade on both sides which is beautifully etched with scroll and foliage and the royal cypher of George V. This sword is in excellent original condition. The blade is also in very good order, it has suffered no rust or pitting, and the etching is still good and clear and free from wear. Maker maked ‘Armfield Ltd. Birmingham’. This company was a small engineering firm that won a large WD contract during WW1 to make buttons and some badges, but diversified into weapons later during the war. An interesting story of a small company making good. This sword is complete with its original brown leather covered scabbard. A great example of this type of sword. It measures 40.5 inches long overall.Armfield Scouring Machine manufactured c1890.
The Company was originally formed in Ringwood, England in 1875. The founder, 23 year old Joseph J. Armfield, was a Quaker who had decided to settle in the town following a brief visit. J.J. Armfield had gained invaluable experience as an apprentice at an iron works in Carshalton, near London, and began manufacturing and repairing farm and milling machinery on the site of an old brewery just outside Ringwood town centre. The business thrived, employing 30 men by 1876. In 1887, the first Armfield water turbine was produced. These soon became the core of the business and by 1939, although Joseph Armfield was no longer leading the Company, Armfield had sold over 1,000 machines throughout the world.
