Observations on Swords 1844 and 1894
Henry Wilkinson
This volume contains facsimile copies of the 1st edition, and of the 21st edition of the book by Henry Wilkinson, the famed sword and gun maker who lived from 1794 until 1861. The first edition was an eight-page pamphlet published on card. It appeared in 1844 as Henry Wilkinson was starting to manufacture swords. He “…felt assured that sufficient patronage will not be wanting to enable me to persevere in an attempt to render the swords of this country equal, if not superior, to any in the world.” The pamphlet was a superb advertisement for the new business.
The 21st edition was published in 1894. It retains sections from the earlier editions on ‘Observations’ and ‘Some useful Information for Officers Going to Join Their regiments in India’. It includes new sections on guns and swords that Wilkinson’s could recommend and offer. These include fencing equipment, cannon for yachts and items for the detection of poachers! The 21st Edition also gives full details of Hunting Knives, Revolvers and Pistols, Tent Pegging Lances, London made razors, revolver transformers, fencing equipment, Ice Skates and Regulations Swords. It is fully illustrated.
By republishing these rare books in facsimile, this one volume, is a first class reference work, and an insight into the growth of the famous Wilkinson’s company.
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Observations on Swords Eighteenth edition
Henry Wilkinson
The 18th Edition was published in the middle of Henry Wilkinson’s career when the book was firmly established as a catalogue of the products and services of Wilkinson’s of Pall Mall. This facsimile reprint shows what was offered by the company in the mid Victorian period. It includes the regulation infantry sword, superb breech loading shotguns and the Wilkinson Double Action Government revolver. Also advertised were reprints of John Latham’s lectures to The Royal United Service Institution on the Shape of Sword Blades. There is information on early Breechloaders, The Progress of Breech Loading Small Arms and on Rifle Ranges. The products on offer include gun cases, swords and accoutrements, cartridges, items for deer stalking and boar hunting. This book is an essential reference work.
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The Evolution of Swords
John Wilkinson Latham
Wilkinson Sword first published this booklet in the 1960’s to explain to their customers the heritage of the sword they had just ordered and to appeal to the collector or enthusiast. It describes the arme blanche from earliest times, covering the basic style of sword from flint and bronze to the flamboyant weapons of the Renaissance, the elegant Small or Town Sword and the immergence of the regulation Military patterns. This overview of the history of swords is an invaluable source of information.
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British Military Sword
John Wilkinson Latham
This is a superbly illustrated book on the British Military sword. Written by the late John Wilkinson Latham it was first published in 1966 in the UK and the USA. John Wilkinson Latham was a Director of the famous Wilkinson’s manufacturing company. The book was the most detailed work ever published for the growing numbers of enthusiasts and collectors of the British Military Sword. It was superbly illustrated with 74 plates and 18 drawings. It was soon reprinted three times. There are eight chapters which cover The Guards, Infantry, Household Cavalry, Cavalry, Artillery, Engineers and Corps, 19th century Sword Scandals and detailed method of Manufacture. There are appendices on Supply, Specifications, Sword Knots, pattern variations and reprints of long unavailable early treatise on Military Swords.
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British Cut & Thrust Weapons
John Wilkinson Latham
John Wilkinson Latham, a Director of famous Wilkinson Sword Company first published this book in 1971. It has long been out of print and unavailable to enthusiasts and collectors except at a high price in the second hand market.
The book traces the development of edged weapons in the British Army. There are chapters devoted to the regular Army, yeomanry and Militia as well as the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force. There are chapters on pole arms, bayonets and fighting knives and a review of the manufacturing process. There are valuable lists of sword makers, Military sword markings and sword knots. The book is well illustrated.
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Mr Wilkinson of Pall Mall Vol.1
Robert Wilkinson Latham
Mr Wilkinson of Pall Mall Vol.2
Robert Wilkinson Latham
 
These two volumes provide the definitive reference work on the world famous sword makers. Both are copiously illustrated with photographs and drawings. Much of this material is taken from the private Wilkinson family archive and is not available elsewhere. As well as tracing the history of the company the books contain useful appendices with sword and gun numbers.
Volume One 1772-1899:
Traces the origin of the company with the establishment of a London business by the celebrated gun maker Henry Nock. It follows Henry’ development of the gun making process to an extent that enabled the acceptance of a government order for 10,000 muskets. On Henry’s death the company passed to his foreman James Wilkinson, it was James’s son Henry who expanded into sword making in 1844.
Volume Two 1900-1972:
Follows the progress and expansion of the world famous sword makers, with the conversion to the factory system and the development of additional products such as razors and bulletproof clothing.
These volumes were previously published as a private limited edition for Wilkinson Sword
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The Swords & Records of Robert Mole
Robert Wilkinson Latham
Robert Mole and Sons supplied swords and bayonets to the War Office, the Admiralty and the Government of India as well as for private and trade customers.
Company records were discovered in 1988. These detail Government and India Office contracts from 1852-1919 and Private and Trade customers from 1903-1920.
This archive chronicles the bulk of Moles output, as by his own admission he had “no private trade worth mentioning.”
The author has added notes and narrative to the records, which include Government and India Office specifications and official drawings.
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Wilkinson and the F-S Fighting Knife
Robert Wilkinson Latham
This reference book is based on archive evidence from the Wilkinson Sword Contract book, and the original drawings from 1942. The work also draws on letters and memoirs of contemporary ‘users’ and interviews with the men who made them, those who etched the blades and sewed the scabbards.
The knife’s background, of its conception and often clandestine use during World War II has led to much mystique and some spurious information. This book sets the record straight.
Full details of issues, types and Wilkinson production figures are shown in detail together with contemporary documents.
The story is bought up to date with the issue of knives in 1982 for the Falklands and with the listing of the numerous Commemorative issues.
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Wilkinson Sword Patterns & Blade Rubs
Including Index and Details 1844-1954
By Robert Wilkinson Latham
This volume brings together all the existing pattern drawings, suggested hilts, blades, scabbard mounts etc as well as belts and inscriptions and blade rubbings of the famous swordmakers from their first swords in 1844 to 1954. After that date scale drawings tended to replace the artistic work of the sword maker, etcher and pattern makers and only a few designs received full colour treatment after 1954.
Included also are examples of later swords, blade artwork for screen and lazer etching.
Fully illustrated with contemporary drawings of swords, hilts, grips, Blade Rubs and blade and badge artwork together with the full listings of blade rubs.
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