Rare 1956 Wilkinson British QEII Pattern 1821 RASC Officer's Sword - Cyprus Emergency (42 Coy)

An exceptionally rare and historically significant British Pattern 1821 Royal Army Service Corps (RASC) Officer's Sword.

Manufactured by the legendary Wilkinson Sword Co. Ltd. London in early 1956, this piece boasts rare "triple-provenance"—featuring a traceable serial number, explicit unit markings, and an active-theatre campaign engraving. 

The sword was privately purchased by an officer on deployment or possibly presented to the unit on active-service deployment at the peak of a major Cold War conflict.

The Cyprus Emergency was a conflict fought in British Cyprus between April 1955 and March 1959.

The National Organisation of Cypriot Fighters (EOKA), a Greek Cypriot guerrilla organisation fighting for unification with Greece, began an armed campaign in support of the end of British colonial rule and the unification of Cyprus and Greece (Enosis) in 1955.

Opposition to Enosis from Turkish Cypriots led to the formation of the Turkish Resistance Organisation (TMT) in support of the partition of Cyprus.

The Cyprus Emergency ended in 1959 with the signature of the London-Zürich Agreements, establishing the Republic of Cyprus as an independent state.

Military records confirm that 42 Company (Motor Transport), RASC was deployed directly into the theater in 1956.

Stationed under canvas at the airfield in Limassol as part of the 1st Transport Column, the company was tasked with the highly hazardous mission of transporting troops, equipment, and fuel across ambush-prone mountain passes. 

This sword is in a very good to excellent condition.

The steel retains a brilliant, reflective high-polish finish.

The traditional British scrollwork, Royal Cypher, unit designation, and campaign etching remain incredibly crisp, deep, and fully legible with zero active corrosion or pitting.

The spine is stamped with its serial no. 77319, and the edge is unmarred.

The classic three-bar steel handguard (Pattern 1821) shows a bright finish with light, age-appropriate handling marks.

The wire-bound grip is structurally sound with tight wire wrapping; the shagreen (fish skin) covering exhibits authentic, honest storage wear and minor surface thinning consistent with an active field deployment.

The sword comes with its original brown leather "Sam Browne" field service scabbard.

The leather is supple with a gorgeous deep patina, sturdy stitching, and intact throat/drag fittings

The photographs are of the actual item and form part of the description.

 Please examine the photographs carefully and if you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us.