Rejoice with me!!!

[RattlesnakeJack]

I have been keeping my eyes open for a decent Victorian-era sword of "Rifles" pattern, for my collection and for use in my circa-1885  Queen's Own Rifles of Canada impression - fully expecting I would have to pay in the range of at least $400-$500 for something in reasonably good condition.

Well, tonight I did much better than I could have hoped in having the high bid in an eBay auction for what appears to be a very nice blade indeed!   
Incredible as it may seem, I succeeded in getting this sword for a mere US$206.16!!!!     
(Needless to say, my maximum bid amount was significantly higher than that ....  I am also particularly pleased that the vendor, who deals regularly in swords, has a 100% positive feedback rating, in over 4,400 transactions !)

Anyway, I can't  resist posting a few of the vendor's excellent photos of this prize ..... (click thumbnails to enlarge)

         

         

[Bristow Kid]

Great deal and a beautiful sword  congratulations

[Texas Lawdog]

I have to say that Rattlesnake Jack cuts a dashing figure in his Black Watch uniform. This new sword will only make it better. Congrats to Jack. I am looking to seeing him again at the 2009 Muster.

[US Scout]

Well done!  I have the artillery pattern - but would love a Rifle pattern.

US Scout
Bvt Brig Gen, GAF

[Bull Schmitt]

Don't shoot your eye out!!

[Delmonico]

Don't shoot your eye out!!

I think that would be poke yer eye out.   

[Mulee Pete]

That is a beauty!  Congatulations!  I was always schooled to never run with a blade.  So no jogging with it.
Mulee

[Silent Joe]

Beautiful sword, Jack. Gongrets with it. A view weeks ago I bought myself a CSA Cavalry saber. Now I'm looking for a CS Cavalry-holster for my Colt SAA 7 1/2"barrel and Cavalry-gauntlets + a golden Officers Sword Knot.

[Cowtown Scout]

Congratulations, that's a beautiful sword and a great price.  It will certainly compliment your uniform.
Scout

[Texas Lawdog]

Cowtown Scout looks spiffy in his uniform that he wore at the SASS convention this year.

[Colonel Buckshot]

Nothing like a nice sword to complete a uniform.

[RattlesnakeJack]

Thanks to all you gentlemen for the kind words.  I am certainly a happy campaigner!  Indeed< I should clarify that the minimum of $400-$500 I had been anticipating I'd have to pay is the going price for a sword in poorer condition than this one.

I am doubly pleased to report that I have just returned from a day-trip to Calgary for a gun and militaria show, where I saw a Rifle officer's pattern sword in poorer condition than the one I just snagged (and of much later manufacture - 1939 - and thus having the '"king's crown" over the bugle-horn in the device on the guard, which is entirely inappropriate for a Victorian-era impression) laying on a sword dealers table there marked C$895! ( That is over US$750 at current exchange rates ....)

Texas Lawdog this sword is "incorrect" for my Black Watch impression .....  Indeed, unless you are referring to photos, I believe you have only seen me in my Queen's Own Rifles of Canada 'field' uniform, and my Black Watch 'undress' jacket and trews (which is what I wore to the banquet at Fort Hartsuff ....) 

Mind you only my natural diffidence and modesty .... .... prevent me from agreeing wholeheartedly that I do, indeed, cut a moderatelyr dashing figure in Black Watch dress uniform - however, I already have the correct Highland Pattern officer's sword for that impression .....

[Capt. Montgomery Little]

Aye Sir, and your Canadian humility is matched only by that of a true Scotsman. Beautiful catch you have there and won like a true Scot bringing in the "LOWEST" price. Jack, do you know how the Grand Canyon was actually created? A Scotsman dropped a nickel down a gopher hole. It has to be true as it was told to me by me sainted mother when I was still a wee one.

See Ya at the Muster!
Capt. Montgomery Little, direct descendent of Eduard Lytille, Commander of Forces under William of Normandy and originator of Clan Little of the West March, Scotland,
CONCEDO NULLI

PS: the occupants of present day Normandy are not French, they merely speak the language out of courtesy.

[RattlesnakeJack]

Probably the self-same Scotsman who returned from the outhouse covered from head to toe in excement. 

When asked what happened, he replied: "Och, an 'a'penny fell oot m' sporran right doon the hole ....."

"Good Lord, mon, ye didna gae in there after naught but a wee 'a'penny, did ye?!?!"

"Nae ..... I wouldna do that!  I drapped in all m' other coin first!"

[River City John]