Pattern 1821 East India Company Light Cavalry sowar's sword, 1840 (c)

The patterns of swords issued to sowars of the East India Company's armies are poorly documented but, in general, their hilts followed the chronological progression of British cavalry patterns. This sword has the mark of the Company's Senior Examiner, 1840 (c).

The sword has the pipe backed, or rounded backed blade normally associated with the officers Pattern 1821 sword. It appears that the pipe back was popular in India and remained in service there much longer than in the British Army.