***NOW SOLD***A Rare 1856 Pattern British Pioneers Saw Back Short Sword Sidearm.

1856 Pattern British Pioneers Saw Back Short Sword Sidearm.

The British army has had several patterns of saw-back bayonets, but only one saw-back sword. The pattern 1856 infantry Pioneers' short sword (hanger) was issued to the Pioneers within each infantry battalion. Each British infantry battalion had a 10 man squad of Pioneers, under the command of a Corporal or Sergeant. Their main tasks were to travel in advance of the main army, to clear the way and to undertake and supervise heavy construction work. The Pioneers were an early form of combat engineers. Besides being a weapon, the saw-back sword was robust enough to replace the axes and hand saws usually carried by the Pioneers. The short, heavy blade could be used as both a saw and a machete and was of particular use when cutting brush to clear a field of fire and for clearing bivouac areas. The 574mm blade has 27 pairs of saw teeth, extending for 390mm from the ricasso. The blade is double-edged for the last 165mm and terminates in a spear point. The saw teeth remain very sharp and the blade retains its upper and lower unsharpened factory edges. The blades' full width tang is hilted with ribbed brass grip scales, held in place by four steel rivets.

The sword is complete with its brass mounted leather scabbard. The scabbard is in very good condition.

This is an excellent example of a scarce British Pioneers sword