Pattern 1822 Infantry Officer's Sword, 1836

This sword, produced by James Wilkinson and Son (later Wilkinson Sword), was carried by Captain Archibald Rutherfoord of the 4th (or The Kings Own) Regiment of Foot during the Crimean War (1854-1856).

Rutherfoord joined the 4th (The King's Own) Regiment of Foot in November 1851 and served with it throughout the Crimean campaign. He had joined the Army in 1836, which is when he would have purchased his sword. It has the cipher 'William IV' on the guard and 'Victoria' on the blade as swords were often re-bladed upon a change of sovereign. The sword has the old-fashioned pipe-back blade, which was criticised for its flimsiness.