Russian Pioneer Sword, Pattern 1827, 1854 (c)

The weapon was brought home by Captain (later Lieutanant-Colonel) Nathaniel Steevens, 88th Regiment of Foot (Connaught Rangers), who was appointed a town major after the fall of Sevastopol during the Crimean War (1854-1856).

Typical of pioneer swords carried by most European armies during the 19th century, this sword is more of a tool than a weapon. The heavy, saw-backed blade was used for cutting down small trees and shrubs.