The Brigade of Guard's Sword
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A Proud Distinction The Foot Guards have always been elite and individualistic in their dress and traditions and no more so then with their choice of sword. So in 1822 when their officers were required to carry the same swords as “Infantry Corps”, the ruling met with severe disfavour. In 1834 they were allowed to discontinue the black leather hilt lining, which they said stained their white gloves, and at last in 1854, the Foot Guards were ordered a new steel hilt. This was based on the ‘Gothic’ pattern and Rifles pattern but with their individual badges in the cartouche. Two years later they were authorised to display their badges and battle honours on the blade of their swords.
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The Guard’s Sword TheGuard’s Sword, which established the pattern later adopted by all Guards regiments, has a straight carbon steel blade etched with the regimental crest. This contrasts with the Grenadier, Coldstream, Scots, Irish and Welsh Guards whose swords carry the battle honours of each regiment on a nickel-plated blade. The nickel-plated steel guard of the sword is pierced and etched with a scroll pattern that includes the regiment’s own cypher in place of the Royal cypher. Similarly, Guards Hilts display their own particular cypher in the hilt. The grip is in black fish-skin bound with silver-plated copper wire. The sword is available with a leather Sam Browne scabbard for service wear or a nickel-plated steel scabbard for full dress occasions.
The Brigade of Guards Grenadier Guards
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