Wilkinson Sword Epee

[jonrawlinson]

Hi,

I have an old Wilkinson Sword epee kicking about (mkIII stamped on the blade) and I was wondering if anyone knew how long ago Wilkinson Sword stopped making fencing equipment - they weren't about when I was fencing at school in the '80s and the guard shape is obviously older than that.

Can't find anything on-line about it...

Any ideas?

[fdad]

Hi,

I have an old Wilkinson Sword epee kicking about (mkIII stamped on the blade) and I was wondering if anyone knew how long ago Wilkinson Sword stopped making fencing equipment - they weren't about when I was fencing at school in the '80s and the guard shape is obviously older than that.

Can't find anything on-line about it...

Any ideas?

The first hit on google was a wikipedia article containing:

Disposal of the sword business
The Acton sword factory closed, and sword production ceased, as of 15 September 2005. Most of the Wilkinson Sword machinery, tools and equipment was purchased by the oldest, producing sword factory in the world, WKC (Weyersberg, Kirschbaum & Cie) of Solingen, Germany. Amongst these items were most of the current British MOD Pattern Sword and Scabbard tools as well as the original blade roll forge of Wilkinson. These are currently used to produce ceremonial swords and scabbards for military and police forces worldwide.
Robert Pooley purchased sword drawings and forging machinery from Wilkinson Sword and sent them to India. He then set up his own company Pooley Sword which finishes and engraves swords forged in India.

[jonrawlinson]

Thanks fdad,

I think the Acton factory made ceremonial swords for the military/police etc, but I don't think Wilkinson Sword have made fencing sporting equipment/weapons for a long while now..

[jonrawlinson]

Think I have answered my own question - the fencing master at my club is part of the Paul clan - apparently Leon Paul bought out the Wilkinson Sword fencing equipment business back in 1962 or thereabouts..

They made damned good blades if that is the case - this blade is probably a decade older than me, and while it may be heavily discoloured but it is still solid and flexible and springs back to the original curve after every hit!