Canada, Dominion. An 1827 Pattern Rifle Volunteers Officer's Sword by J. Stovel of Toronto

This sword features a darkened steel blade, magnetic, with a semi-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", the mark centred within an eight-pointed leaf, while the reverse ricasso is maker marked "J. STOVEL TORONTO". It exhibits age darkening, as well as surface wear overall, along with traces of rust, measuring 820 mm in length. The blade is embedded into the hilt and is firm to it, with a thin oval light brown leather washer surrounding the blade and resting upon the guard. The guard is in brass, emblazoned with the monogram of Queen Victoria (VR) within a large oval, the monogram surmounted by the Victorian crown, with a cluster of leafing below. It incorporates a voided design, with a black-finished leather insert placed on the underside of the guard against the voided areas, to protect the user's hand. The guard incorporates a circular thumb quillon on the main voided portion, along with a drop-down voided panel on the opposite portion of the guard. The brass ferrule butts the guard, the adjoining grip consisting of a wide brass spine with a large oak leaf appearing near the pommel, the grip itself a simulated fish skin style and incorporates seven seven strands of copper wire in the recessed areas, each of which consists of a single row of rolled wire flanked by a single straight wire on either side. The grip is finished with a pommel that is topped by a prominent bronze button, the entire sword inclusive of its blade and handle measuring 945 mm in length. It exhibits slight fraying on the black-finished leather insert, one of the single copper wires is slightly out of position on the grip near the ferrule, however, the remaining copper wires are intact, with spotting, contact marks and wear present on the brass handle. Fine.