nfh249 Posted 26 July , 2015 Share Posted 26 July , 2015 OK so I am new to swords.... I have been looking in the swords used in WW1 by the East Riding Yeomanry. Images of the men with swords are quite rare but I have a few and would welcome comments as to my conclusions... My impression of this pre-war photo is that it is an 1885 pattern cavalry sword? Another pre-war shot, this time a 1908 pattern cavalry sword? Another 1885 pattern? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aussiesoldier Posted 30 September , 2015 Share Posted 30 September , 2015 Without seeing the images these are corresponding images to the comments made. They are swords owned by myself. An 1885 issued to the 13th Hussars and then passed on to the Hertfordshire Yeomanry Cavalry who seem to have carried them to Egypt before being issued a 1908. Blade: 87.5 cm (34 1/2 inches) Overall: 106 cm (41 1/2 inches) Made by Weyersberg Kirschbaum & Co, Solingen Aussiesoldier. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aussiesoldier Posted 30 September , 2015 Share Posted 30 September , 2015 Whilst I don't own a P08 I have a IP08 issued to the Indian army - the grip was different - shorter and made of walnut. Steel scabbard and hilt, hilt mounts, pommel. Grips: a typical walnut grip with a large depression for the thumb, grip length 172mm (6.75 inches). Guard: sheet steel bowl with beaded edge; sword knot slot near the pommel and a large pear shaped reinforcing piece on outside near blade shoulder. The blade is straight tapered with a single fuller on each side to within 204mm (8 inches) of the spear point and double edged for for last 153mm (6 inches). The small pin driven through the blade to secure the original buff piece (sword stop). The scabbard is tapered sheet steel with two fixed strap loops 57mm (2.25) inches from mouthpiece. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aussiesoldier Posted 30 September , 2015 Share Posted 30 September , 2015 And just for good measure an P12 officer's cavalry sword owned by F L Johnston of the Scottish Horse. Overall Length: 1095.0 mm Blade Length: 895.0 mm Blade Width (at guard): 25.0 mm Scabbard Length: 925.0 mm Proof disc used by Manton & Co London Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nfh249 Posted 1 October , 2015 Author Share Posted 1 October , 2015 Thanks for that Aussiesoldier, I've reinstated the photos in the original post. It looks like I was on the right track though I think. These two confuse me though - I assume these would most likely have be private purchase? Cheers, Neil. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trajan Posted 1 October , 2015 Share Posted 1 October , 2015 And just for good measure an P12 officer's cavalry sword owned by F L Johnston of the Scottish Horse. Just out of interest, do you have his years for military service? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aussiesoldier Posted 1 October , 2015 Share Posted 1 October , 2015 Top three photographs seem to show 1890 trooper cavalry swords, still on issue to many yeomanry cavalry units at the beginning of the war. Ref horsed officer photo, It looks like an 1821 Light Cavalry Sword or perhaps an 1853 Cavalry Sword. Both of these were 3 bar guard swords and the 1821 remained in service well into the 1860s and as a private purchase, right up to the end of the 19th century. Reference F L Johnston; No mate, I have extensively searched the net, used Ancestory and Military Records sites, even contacted the regimental museum but there are too many amalgamations and the records are stored for personal research - bit far to come for a weekend! Only record that MIGHT fit is Brigadier F L Johnston (Territorial and Auxiliary Forces Associations, Edinburgh City, The Lothians and Peebles.) but I can't get enough of his service data to know whether he fits. Thanx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nfh249 Posted 2 October , 2015 Author Share Posted 2 October , 2015 Hi Great, thanks that's been a great help. As for F L Johnston, I suspect its 2nd Lieutenant Frederick Lowe Johnston, Scottish Horse, later Capt 1st Royal Scots. His medal index card is on ancestry. According to the London Gazette Lance Corporal Frederick Lowe Johnston was commissioned into the Scottish Horse 12th March 1915. It looks like he stayed in the army after the war so he might be the same as your Brigadier. Cheers Neil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aussiesoldier Posted 4 October , 2015 Share Posted 4 October , 2015 Outstanding! I have been searching for this for two years and used ALL of the sites and even rang. There is nothing better than getting a name to a 'named' sword as it brings it back to life. I have an 1895 Spanish private purchase sabre made for an officer of the Artillery with the initials CB. Again, tried as many sources as possible but had no luck - not speaking Spanish is a small problem. Can't thank you enough. I try now to find out a little more about him. Bloody outstanding!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nfh249 Posted 4 October , 2015 Author Share Posted 4 October , 2015 It should be a fascinating story, it looks like he had a long and interesting career: From the London Gazette, 25th April 1939: The names of the undermentioned have been brought to notice by the General Officer Commanding the British Forces in Palestine and Trans-Jordan in recognition of distinguished services rendered in connection with the operations in Palestine during the period 1st April to 31st October, 1938:- 1st Battalion, The Royal Scots (The Royal Regiment). Johnston, Maj. F. L. Also he is mentioned as being awarded the OBE, in the Yorkshire Post 8th June 1939. Notice the spelling - if you search for 'Frederick Low Johnston' in the London Gazette you get plenty of hits. He did go on to be a Brigadier and a Deputy Lord Lieutenant in 1960... Cheers, Neil. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aussiesoldier Posted 5 October , 2015 Share Posted 5 October , 2015 My goodness this has changed the game. I know have a reasonable record of his service. F L JOHNSTON, SCOTTISH HORSE. He was born 31/1/95. In the ranks of the Territorials to 11/3/15 when on the 12th March 1915, he is commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant Frederick Low Johnston, Scottish Horse and transferred to the 1st Battalion, The Royal Scots (The Royal Regiment). and served with the regiment in Egypt in 1916 to 11 November, 1918. He was promoted Lt. in September, 1917 and as Acting Captain on 1 November, 1918. Transferred to the Russian Front (Russian Civil War) in December, 1918. He served with the 1st Battalion, The Royal Scots at Secundrabad, in India in the early 1920’s. He is promoted substantive Captain in 1926, Major in November, 1937, and Acting Lt. Colonel in September, 1939. Serves with the Regiments Territorial battalions between 1932 and 1936, before returning to The Royal Scots in Palestine 1936-39. The 1st Battalion was deployed to serve in the 1936–39 Arab revolt in Palestine, where it would remain for a year, until January 1939, when it became part of the 4th Infantry Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division.From the London Gazette, 25th April 1939: Mentioned in Dispatches: The names of the under-mentioned have been brought to notice by the General Officer Commanding the British Forces in Palestine and Trans-Jordan in recognition of distinguished services rendered in connection with the operations in Palestine during the period 1st April to 31st October, 1938:- 1st Battalion, The Royal Scots (The Royal Regiment). Johnston, Maj. F. L. He is awarded the Order of the British Empire in 1939 (Yorkshire Post 8th June 1939) probably in recognition for this service. He promoted Acting Lt Col in September, 1939 and Brigadier in 1942 before retiring from the Army in 1946. In 1952 is awarded an Ordinary Commander of the Civil Division of the said Most Excellent Order, CBE, possibly because of his service with the Territorial and Auxiliary Forces Associations, Edinburgh City, The Lothians and Peebles. He died in 1971 thanx George Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nfh249 Posted 5 October , 2015 Author Share Posted 5 October , 2015 Job done and a good result! Cheers, Neil. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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