Victorian Welsh 6th Denbighshire Rifle Volunteers Officer’s Sword

A good and rare example of the Light Infantry regulation pattern. The slightly curved single edged blade is etched with a crowned VR cypher and title “6th Denbigh Rifle Vols”. Also etched with the original owners name of “ARTHUR W ADAMS”.

The sword is in excellent condition with brigh crisp etching. Oddly the proof slug appears to have been stamped twice, something that I have not come across before. The balde is solid in the guard with no movement.

Arthur Walter Adams, born in 1857 to Llewellyn Adams and Caroline L Adams in Ruthin Denbighshire. He was commissioned to Second Lieutenant (supernumerary) in the Volunteer Rifle regiment in June 1875, eventually resigning his commission in 9th June, 1880.

On the forte it has the retailer’s details “Hobson & Sons St Martins Lane London” Originally based close to the Woolwich Barracks, Hobson was a Clothing and Regimental Regalia outfitter to officers. Quickly growing they established themselves as on of the top outfitters in London. The St Martins address dates the sword to around 1873-1877