An 1856 pattern drummers' sword - 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 apocryphal - the average of 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 carried for their protection was this 1856 pattern drummers' sword, with it's classically inspired hilt and short blade. This example is in good condition with accompanying scabbard; the sword is 24.5 ins long and has an etched blade and the 'VR' cypher on the hilt.
