Post about one of my swords

This is a quick writeup about the centerpiece of my collection.

I own the sword of Berkeley Vincent.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berkeley_Vincent

The sword has obvious signs of its long campaigning life, including extensive re-sharpening.

The sword itself Started life as a Royal Horse Artillery sword when Vincent was commissioned in 1891, but was obviously re-hilted as a cavalry saber when Vincent transferred to the 6th (Inniskilling) dragoons in 1911.

This sword is a really great example of how British officers often customized or re-hilted their swords to stay in regulation, but keep them the way they wanted, especially if they were skilled swordsmen.

Berkeley Vincent was born in 1871. He eventually retired as a Brigadier General in 1924. His father was Irish, and his mother was Scottish.

He served during his career in Gibraltar 1891-93, India 1896-1901, the China War/Boxer Rebellion 1900-01 (medal), South Africa (2nd Boer War) 1901-02 (QSA 5 clasps), Russo-Japanese War 1904-5 (as a Language Officer at the British Legation in Tokyo 1903 - 1905, attached to the Japanese 1st Army in 1904 firstly in Korea on special services during the period February to March 1904, then in Manchuria during the period May 1904 until June 1905).

He was attached to the Austro-Hungarian Army (1906), promoted to a Staff Captain of the Royal Horse Artillery in 1908 and again served overseas as an instructor at the Indian Staff College in Quetta, India, during 1909.

Politics almost screwed him over. He was removed at the instigation of General Haig during 1910. But then he transferred to the 6th Inniskilling Dragoons in 1911 and was promoted to Brevet Colonel during 1914. He served in the First World War on the General Staff and was promoted to full Colonel.

During WW1 he was gassed, and buried at one point, IIRC.

He was attached to the Japanese First Army in Manchuria at various points between 1914-18, and also served on the General Staff in France, wounded 5 times, Mentioned In Dispatches, CB 1919, CMG 1916. During 1922-1923 he was GOC Military Forces in Iraq, and served in Kurdistan during 1923, MID medal. From 1922-24 he was Colonel Commandant Military Forces, Iraq. He was knighted in 1924 and retired from the Army the same year.

This is an amazing sword that belonged to an amazing man. Vincent was one of the first Englishman to learn Japanese during his assignment in Japan, and actually stood on the deck of a Japanese warship during the Russo-Japanese war.

Vincent married twice and had two sons. I can't find whether his first marriage ended in divorce or death. Due to the time in history, it was probably death, unfortunately. Berkeley Vincent passed away in 1963. He was 91 years old.

If Berkeley Vincent's family ever reached out to me about reacquiring this sword for the family, I'd be happy to work with them. Unfortunately, it seems that knife and sword culture in the UK is dying, not least of which because of restrictive weapon laws. Pity.