Overview
Made famous by The Royal Welsh Fusiliers and their fierce, brutal style of hand-to-hand fighting during the Battle of Messines Ridge in 1917. Meticulously replicated from an original of tough high carbon, tempered steel w/cord wrap grip. The folding circular cross guard works and the crusher pommel is nasty. It’s easy to see why this weapon was so effective in the right hands. Etched on one side of the blade is DROS URDDAS CYMRU, which translates – “For The Dignity of Wales”. Complete with heavy leather sheath covered in green canvas. Based on an ancient Celtic design it’s been extremely effective for hundreds of years. Made by Windlass Steelcrafts. Has a few light scratches, and a little oxidation on the guard, most of which i removed, otherwise excellent condition.
"The WWI originals were financed by Lord Howard de Waldron of Chirk Castle and presented to the 9th Battalion RWF. Supposedly based on a medieval Welsh sword pattern: the hinged hilt guard was officially patented. Within the battalion they were issued to machine-gunners and possibly other specialists such as bombers. Some blades are engraved "Dros Urddas Cymru" (For The Honour Of Wales)"
The originals were quite rare, and these reproductions are also out of production and hard to find.