Canada, Dominion. An Early Canada Rifles Infantry Sword, by Stohwasser & Winter of London

This sword features a steel blade, magnetic, with a very sharp tip. Both sides of the blade have a fuller running from the mid-point to just above the ricasso and incorporates an ornate floral pattern. The obverse ricasso bears a brass proofmark disk inscribed "PROVED", while the reverse ricasso is maker marked "STOHWASSER & WINTER / CONDUIT ST. LONDON". The obverse is marked with the Victorian crown framed by the aforementioned floral pattern, while the reverse illustrates a beaver with "CANADA" above and "RIFLES" below framed by the floral pattern. The blade exhibits fading of the ornate floral pattern and the accompanying marks, with slight denting and surface wear visible at the tip, however, the blade itself remains clean and free of rust, measuring 820 mm in length. The blade is embedded into the hilt and is firm to it. The guard is in brass, decorated in floral motifs on the upward-facing quillon and adjoining upper edges of the guard, along with incorporating a voided design on one side. The grip itself is a simulated grayish fish skin style and incorporates thirteen single strands of twisted brass wire in the recessed areas. The handle has a floral band at its mid-point, with a brass museum tag inscribed "20-246 B" attached via a wire wrap to the handle, the cap bearing the pommel with a flowing leafing pattern that rises to a point on the spine and is finished with a prominent oval button, the entire sword inclusive of its blade and handle measuring 965 mm in length. The accompanying sword is housed in its original steel scabbard, inscribed "Presented to Ensign McBride by the Non Commissioned Officers & Men of the Guelph Garrison Artillery Guelph Novembe[r] 1866", with a black-finished leather wrap forming the locket, the throat opening without a guard, the body incorporating one band one-third of the way down from the throat, along with a flattened u-shaped chape. It exhibits multiple dents, contact marks and surface wear from active use, plus rust especially on the chape, the scabbard measuring 830 in length. In fine condition.