“His Majesty having been pleased to order that the Battalion Officers are for the future
to make use of swords, its His Majesty’s pleasure that the Officers of the Infantry Corp shall be
provided with a strong, substantial, uniform sword, the blade is to be straight and made to cut and thrust.”

The 1897 pattern was the final revision of the Infantry Officers sword, the final modification was the inner edge of the guard turned down to prevent it fraying the clothing. Its predecessor the 1895 sword was merited with its excellent guard and, wicked, thrusting blade, it was unquestionably the best fighting sword ever prescribed for the Infantry officers of the Army, and its theoretical               excellence was confirmed in practice.