A Proud Distinction

British Army regiments have always been proudly individualistic-none more so than the rifle regiments.  Thus in 1822, when their officers were required to carry the same sword as “ordinary” regiments of the line, the ruling met with widespread disfavour.  So much so that barely five years later, new orders were issued officially authorising the rifle regiments to adopt their own variant pattern in which the royal cypher on the hilt is replaced by a crown and stringed bugle.

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The Rifle’s Sword

The Rifle’s Sword, which established the pattern later adopted by all Guards regiments, has a straight carbon steel blade etched with the regimental crest. 

The nickel-plated steel guard of the Rifle Regiment Sword is pierced and etched with a scroll pattern that includes the regiment’s own cypher in place of the Royal cypher. 

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.

Regiments

The Rifles
The Royal Gurkha Rifles