Original 1856 Pattern Drummers Short Sword & Leather Scabbard (Essex Regt?)
By 1879 drummers retained that rank but no longer played drums on the battlefield, in fact they carried bugles and were responsible for passing on orders by bugle calls.
Although the story of the 'little drummer boys' killed at Isandlwana, is largely doubtful, the average age of the drummers killed there was 24. They, nonetheless played a crucial roll in the battle, and Zulu accounts refer to the sound of British bugles at its height.
The only sidearm (bizarre) carried for their protection was this 1856 pattern drummers' sword, with its classically inspired hilt and short blade. This example is in good condition with accompanying scabbard, the sword is 24.5 ins long and has a well used steel blade and the 'VR' cypher on the brass hilt, it’s also stamped with EX 204 with the 20 crossed out. Possibly an Essex Infantry Regt sword?
