Sword - Infantry Pattern

The current Australian Infantry Sword is the British Infantry pattern of 1897. The hilt has a nickel-plated three quarter ‘scroll’ pattern pierced sheet steel guard with the “reigning monarch's royal cipher. It has a leather sword knot attached to the slot near the pommel. The grip is wire bound black sharkskin. The straight blade is etched half way on both sides with a foliage design having the royal cypher of Elizabeth II in the centre. There is a single fuller on each side. The brown leather scabbard has a nickel-plated chape and throat. This model sword was an improved version of the 1895 Pattern, which combined a more robust blade with a thrusting point to the blade. The hand guard was also turned down on the inner edge to prevent the fraying of the uniform. On ceremonial occasions such as trooping the colours, the ensign’s brown scabbard may be replaced by a chrome scabbard.